Peace everyone,
Many people believe that ghosts exist. They believe that ghosts are the souls/spirits of those who have died. They believe that there are haunted places. And they believe that there are souls that wander the earth after they are dead. Do ghosts exist? Are there any places that are haunted by ghosts? And are there any souls that wander the earth after they are dead? What is the Quranic stance on ghosts? There are several Quranic verses that sheds light on this issue. Thus, it's critical to use Quran as a criterion to know its stance on ghosts. But before we explore the Quranic stance on ghosts, let's take a look at the history of ghosts, and let's take a look at some facts about people's beliefs regarding ghosts.
In many cultures, stories of ghosts have been told to others. As a matter of fact, they have been told for thousands of years. The earliest history of ghosts, dates back to Mesopotamia. In Mesopotamian religion, there are many references to ghosts. Ancient Mesopotamians believed that ghosts could show themselves to people on earth if they needed to right some wrong. In Christianity, there are a few references to ghosts in the Hebrew Bible. For example, in the first book of Samuel, a disguised King Saul searches for a medium. He finds the Witch of Wendor and makes her summon the ghost of Samuel. The notion of ghosts was regarded as pagan by the medieval church. However, after the Reformation, ghosts became popular with Catholics. The belief in ghosts was also widespread in Egyptian culture. The ancient Egyptians believed that people's souls or spirits would continue to exist after death. And they believed that the souls and spirits of the dead could help/assist or harm those who were alive. If, for instance, the rites of burial had not been observed properly, or the living had committed some sin before or after the death of a person, the soul or spirit of that person would redress the wrong. There are also references to ghosts in Chinese culture. According to Chinese culture, ghosts take many forms based on how a person died. And ghosts are often harmful. In ancient China, many people believed that the souls of the deceased would continue to exist, and that they must be kept happy by offerings and honor. This is evidenced by the practice of ancestor worship. During the ghost month (the seventh month in the Lunar calendar), and especially in on the fifteenth day of The Ghost Festival, ghosts receive a lot of attention. In the past, ancient Celts, Greeks, Romans, Indians and Mesoamericans also believed in ghosts.
According to a
Harris poll from 2014, 42 percent of Americans believed in ghosts. And a poll from 2013 conducted by
YouGov in UK, found that 52 percent of the respondents indicated that they believed in ghosts. Also, in Asia a lot of people believe in ghosts. They have kept their belief in ghosts regardless of the rise of science, skepticism, secularism and modernism. Even in secular and technologically advanced countries like Japan and Taiwan, the belief in ghosts is still high. In liberal Scandinavia, a high percentage of people in this region are atheists and agnostics. But even though a high percentage of people in this region are atheists and agnostics, there is still a high percentage of people who believe in ghosts. The notion of ghosts haven't been proven by science. Most scientists are skeptical regarding the existence of ghosts. But spooky stories and reality TV shows about ghost hunters, continue to reflect our culture's fascination with ghosts. Robert Clarke, an author, argues that England is the most haunted country in the world. In London, 50 Berkeley Square has been known as the most haunted house in that city. However, when Roger Clarke mailed Maggs, the antiquarian booksellers who have been there since 1938, he got this reply: "There are absolutely no first-hand accounts of anything. It?s fiction reversing into reality." Similarly, belief in ghostly possession had almost disappeared in the United States until the movie The Exorcist came out in 1971. Now this belief is widespread. A celebrated ghosthunter once remarked this: "People don't want the debunk, they want the bunk."
According to the Quran, the souls of humans are taken by God when they die. This means that the souls of dead humans can not assist or harm people on earth. There are no verses in the Quran that supports the idea of haunted places, or souls that wander the earth after they are dead. And there are no references to ghosts in the Quran. Since the souls of humans are taken by God when they die, then this means that their souls can not remain on earth. Hence there souls can not haunt people or places. In verse 39:42, the Quran clearly states that the souls of humans are taken by God when they die.
Quran 39:42 God seizes the souls at the time of their death; and for those that have not died, during their sleep. He then keeps those that have been overtaken by death, and He sends the others back until a predetermined time. In that are signs for a people who will think.
According to the Quran, the souls of humans will be raised on the day of reckoning/resurrection. And according to the Quran, none in the heavens can perceive when they will be resurrected. This means that those who are dead, can not perceive when they will be resurrected. These teachings of the Quran suggest that those who are dead are unconscious or are living in another state of existence. Since the souls of those who are dead will not be resurrected until the day of reckoning/resurrection, then this means that their souls can not remain on earth. Thus, there souls can not haunt people or places. In verse 23:15-16, the Quran clearly states that people will be resurrected on the day of reckoning/resurrection. And in verse 27:65, the Quran clearly states that none in the heavens can perceive when they will be resurrected.
Quran 23:15-16 Then after that, you will die. Then you will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection.Quran 27:65 Say: "None in the heavens or the earth know the unseen except God. And they do not perceive when they will be resurrected."According to the Quran, the dead can not hear the living. So if a man or woman says that he or she has spoken to the ghost of a dead person (e.g. his or her mother), and that the ghost of the dead person have been able to listen to him or her, then he or she is telling a lie. Since the Quran states that the dead can not hear the living, then it is impossible for the dead person to hear a man or woman that speaks to that dead person. In verse 27:80, 30:52 and 35:22, the Quran clearly states that the dead can not hear the living.
Quran 27:80 You cannot make the dead hear, nor can you make the deaf hear the call when they turn their backs and flee.Quran 30:52 You cannot make the dead listen, nor can you make the deaf hear the call when they have turned their backs.Quran 35:22 Nor equal are the living and the dead; God causes whoever He wills to hear; and you cannot make those who are in the graves hear.According to the Quran, the dead can not speak. So if a man or woman claims that the ghost of a dead person (e.g. his or her mother), has spoken to him or her, then he or she is telling a lie. Since the Quran states that the dead can not speak to the living, then it is impossible for a dead person to speak to the living. Thus, it's obvious that the souls of the dead have no ability to speak to the living. In verse 6:111 and 13:31, the Quran suggests that the dead can not speak.
Quran 6:111 And if We had sent down to them the angels, and the dead spoke to them, and We had gathered before them everything, they still would not believe except if God wills. Alas, most of them are ignorant.Quran 13:31 If there were a Quran/recitation with which mountains were moved, the earth were sliced, or the dead were made to speak? No, to God is all matters. Did not those who acknowledge know that if God wished He would have guided all the people? As for those who reject, until God's promise comes true, a disaster will continue to strike them or alight at near their homes because of what they do. God does not breach the appointment.In this post, we have seen that there are no verses in the Quran that supports the idea of ghosts that haunt places, or souls that wander the earth after they are dead. The Quran teaches/instructs the servants of the God to use their reason (8:22 and 2:171). The Quran doesn't support superstitious beliefs (4:51). The Quran doesn't support blind following (17:36, 6:116 and 10:36). The Quran advises the servants of the God to not follow their fathers, but instead follow the revelations of the God (2:170). The Quran teaches/instructs the servants of the God to use their reason (2:171 and 8:22). Finally, the Quran suggests that the concept of ghosts is a myth (39:42, 23:15-16, 27:65, 27:80, 30:52, 35:22, 6:111 and 13:31).