If we find the answers to the questions—"Where does a person's soul (spirit) go after death?" and "What does it do?"—we will also find the answer to the question, "Do ghosts exist?" This is because the belief in ghosts is fundamentally rooted in the notion that the spirits of the deceased return to this world and wander about.
Let us first examine the state of the souls of the deceased. Subsequently, we will analyze the questions raised by proponents of the existence of ghosts.
"Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die, during their sleep. He retains the one for which He has decreed death and releases the other until an appointed time. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who give thought." (Holy Quran 39:42)
Those who reflect can see that this single verse from the Holy Quran serves as sufficient evidence that ghosts and evil spirits do not exist. In this verse, God states that He holds the souls of deceased humans under His control (in His possession). Once God has clearly declared that all souls are in His possession, a Muslim cannot believe that these souls break free from His control and escape back to this world.
Those who believe in the existence of ghosts are effectively rejecting this verse of God, or—without explicitly saying so—implying that God's control is weak. Whichever of these two positions they adopt, they effectively remove themselves from the fold of Islam.
Observe how a supplication taught by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) serves as an explanation for this verse:
"When any of you goes to bed, [say]: 'O my Lord! It is in Your name that I shall rise again. If You take my soul (during sleep), grant it forgiveness and mercy!'" Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Let him say: 'If You send it back, protect my life just as You protect Your righteous servants.'" Narrator: Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him). Sources: Bukhari 6320, 7393; Muslim 5257.
This Hadith clearly states that Allah takes human souls into His custody—temporarily during sleep and permanently at the time of death.
This Hadith conveys the same concept as verse 39:42 of the Holy Quran.
How can a Muslim believe in the existence of ghosts when both Allah and the Prophet (PBUH) have stated—leaving no room for any alternative interpretation—that human souls remain under God's control both during sleep and after death? Can one who believes in ghosts truly be considered a believer in God and His Messenger?
While these two pieces of evidence are sufficient to refute the existence of ghosts, let us examine further evidence for greater clarity.
"When death comes to one of them, he says, 'My Lord! Send me back so that I may do good deeds regarding what I have left behind.' By no means! It is merely a word he utters. And behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected." (Holy Quran 23:99-100)
This verse shatters all prevailing beliefs regarding ghosts.
Here, God declares that even if a human pleads to be sent back to the world, they will not be sent back. This makes it clear that even if a person desires to return to this world, it will not happen.
The human asks to return not to engage in wrongdoing, but to perform good deeds. Yet, God declares here that it is impossible to send them back to the world, even for the purpose of doing good deeds.
If a human is not sent back even to perform good deeds, how could the souls of the dead return to the world to frighten others, cause trouble, or possess people and create chaos? The concluding part of this verse is significant. God indicates that after a human dies, a barrier exists between him and this world. The Arabic word Barzakh is used here—a term we have translated as "barrier." Barzakh signifies an invisible, impenetrable barrier.
It is appropriate to cite another verse containing this same word as evidence.
He has caused the two seas to meet; yet, between them lies a barrier (*Barzakh*), and neither transgresses the bounds of the other. (Holy Quran 55:19–20)
Scientists have studied this phenomenon and confirmed that, although the two seas appear to merge to the naked eye, they do not actually mix with one another.
God has employed this very word—Barzakh—in the verse cited earlier as well.
By stating that a barrier is placed between the deceased and this world, God declares that a dead person can no longer maintain any form of connection with this world.
How can a Muslim who believes in this Quranic verse also believe that spirits can break through this divine barrier to roam the earthly realm? How can two such contradictory beliefs coexist within a single heart?
The great curtain called Parsak is not only drawn for a few days. Rather, God also states in the same verse that this great curtain will remain until the time when people are resurrected with their bodies.
How can the spirits that remain behind the great curtain from death until resurrection – the spirits that were denied permission to come to the world to do good deeds – come to this world?
It can be confirmed from this verse that demons have no place in Islam.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) clearly states without any second thought that it is not possible for the soul of a deceased person to come to this world.
When any of you dies, he will be shown his place in the morning and evening. If he is a resident of Paradise, he will be shown his place in Paradise. If he is a resident of Hell, he will be shown his place in Hell. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "This will be your abode until Allah resurrects you on the Day of Resurrection." Narrated by: Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). Books: Bukhari 1338, 1374, 1379, 6515, Muslim 5505
How can one believe that the souls of the deceased return to this world after the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that the deceased will remain in the grave until the Day of Resurrection (until he is resurrected with his body)? Muslims should realize that whoever believes in such a thing has clearly forgotten the teachings of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
Watch the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) explain further about the state of the souls of people!
When the deceased is buried, two angels with black complexions and blue eyes come to him. One is Munkar. The other is Nakir. What did you think about this man (the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him))? They will ask. “He will say, ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and His servant. There is no god but Allah and I believe that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His servant and Messenger.’” The man will say, “We know that you believed this while you were alive in the world.”
Then, his grave will be expanded and illuminated, and he will be told, "Sleep!" He will say, "I will go to my family, inform them of these details, and return." The angels will reply, "Sleep like a newlywed bridegroom whom no one can wake except his closest loved one! Sleep in this place until God resurrects you!"
If the deceased person is a Munafiq (hypocrite), when asked this question, he will say, "I heard people saying various things about this Muhammad; otherwise, I know nothing about him."
The angels will say, "We knew that this is exactly what you used to say in the world." Then, the command will be given to the earth: "Crush him!" The earth will begin to squeeze him so tightly that his ribs are crushed. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated that he will continue to be tormented until God resurrects him from that spot. Narrator: Abu Hurairah (RA). Source: Tirmidhi.
This serves as strong evidence that there is absolutely no way for the souls of either good or bad people to return to this world.
We must reflect on the fact that every word used here by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) strikes a devastating blow—like a sledgehammer—against the notion of ghosts.
A person who lived a righteous life in this world gives the correct answers during the angels' interrogation. Subsequently, the blessings awaiting him in Paradise are shown to him. Upon seeing this, he asks for permission to go to his home, convey this news, and then return. At that stage, the soul is instructed to sleep like a newlywed bridegroom. Even virtuous souls are denied permission to return to this world, having visited it only briefly. This Hadith explains that righteous souls remain in a state of deep slumber until the Day of Judgment—the time when God resurrects them.
The aforementioned Hadith states that, amidst this slumber, Paradise is shown to the soul in the morning and in the evening; such is the state of the souls of the righteous.
This Hadith also indicates that if a person lived a wicked life and passed away, their soul is continuously constricted by the earth until the moment of resurrection.
Thus, this Hadith serves as clear evidence that neither the righteous souls—resting in slumber until the Day of Judgment—nor the wicked souls—constricted by the earth under Allah’s command—can return to this world.
Even after this, those who believe in the existence of ghosts refuse to accept the Quranic verses and the Prophetic traditions (Hadith) we have previously cited. Essentially, this means they refuse to believe in the angels named Munkar and Nakir, who are mentioned in these traditions.
When a Muslim—who has affirmed their belief in Allah, His angels, His scriptures, and His messengers by reciting "Aamantu Billahi, wa Malaa'ikatihi, wa Kutubihi, wa Rusulihi..." (I believe in Allah, His angels, His scriptures, and His messengers)—believes in the existence of ghosts, they simultaneously deny these four fundamental articles of faith.
hile the points already discussed are sufficient to reach a correct conclusion on this matter, let us examine a few more Hadiths narrated by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to dispel any remaining doubts.
If it were permitted for a human soul to return to this world after death, that opportunity would surely have been granted to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who held the highest status among mankind. Yet, the Messenger of Allah himself stated that even he was not granted this opportunity.
"There are angels who roam the earth; they convey the Salam (greetings of peace) of my community to me," said Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Narrator: Ibn Mas'ud (RA). Sources: Al-Nasa'i, Al-Darimi.
Every word of this Hadith is pregnant with profound meaning, chosen with exquisite precision.
God has appointed angels specifically to convey the Salam to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) whenever members of his community offer such greetings after his passing. This Hadith clarifies that the Salam (peace/salutation) we offer cannot be heard by the Prophet (PBUH) directly from where we are; instead, angels must convey it to him.
It also clearly indicates that there is no direct connection between the deceased—including the Prophet (PBUH)—and this world. If a direct connection existed, God would not need to appoint specific angels for this purpose.
The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Do not turn your homes into graveyards! Do not turn my grave into a place of festival. Send Salawat (blessings) upon me! Wherever you are when you send Salawat upon me, it will be conveyed to me." Narrator: Abu Hurairah (RA). Source: Al-Nasa'i.
The previous Hadith refers to the Salam offered to the Prophet (PBUH), whereas this Hadith refers to the Salawat we offer for him.
Once it becomes clear that Islam rejects the belief in ghosts, there are indeed Muslims whose faith is strong enough to cast aside such notions. The evidence we have presented thus far is sufficient for them; they require no further explanation.
However, there are others among us who hesitate to abandon their traditional beliefs, even when presented with the words of the Holy Quran or the Prophet himself. No matter how much evidence—far exceeding what has been shown regarding Allah and His Messenger—is placed before them, they will not break free from the grip of their belief in ghosts. We have no choice but to leave them be.
Then there are others still—those who find themselves in a state of indecision, unable to let go of their traditional beliefs yet equally unable to refute the evidence we have presented against the existence of ghosts.