Do ghosts exists according to Quran or Islam?
The concept of ghosts as commonly understood in popular culture does not have a direct mention in the Qur'an or in Islamic teachings. However, Islam does acknowledge the existence of jinn, which are beings created by Allah from smokeless fire, and they can be perceived as similar to what some may refer to as ghosts.
The Qur'an states, Only those can accept who hear. As for the dead, Allah will raise them up; then unto Him they will be returned.
6:36 This verse indicates that the dead are raised by Allah, implying that they do not exist in a perceivable form in this world as the living do.
In another verse, Allah says, Nor are the living equal with the dead. Lo! Allah maketh whom He will to hear. Thou canst not reach those who are in the graves.
35:22 This suggests a clear distinction between the living and the dead, reinforcing the belief that the dead do not roam among the living.
Furthermore, there is a narration from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which touches on the nature of jinn and their interactions with humans. It states: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) never recited the Quran to the jinn nor saw them. Once, he set out with a group of his companions heading to the Ukaz marketplace, while the devils intercepted the news of Heaven and meteorites were sent against them. The devils returned to their people, saying, 'What has obstructed us from hearing news of Heaven?' They said, 'It is something new.' They roamed the east and west of the earth searching for what prevented them from hearing news of Heaven. Meanwhile, the Prophet was praying at Nakhlah towards Ukaz during dawn prayer with his companions. When the devils heard the Quran, they listened carefully and said, 'That is indeed what obstructed us and the news of Heaven.' They returned to their people saying, 'O our people! We have indeed heard a marvelous Quran that guides to the right path; we believe in it and will not associate anyone with our Lord.' Then Allah revealed to His Prophet: 'Say, it has been revealed to me that a group of jinn listened...'
Sunan al-Tirmidhi 47:375.
This narration illustrates that jinn exist and can hear the Qur'an, which indicates they have an awareness that differs from humans.
In conclusion, while traditional Islamic theology does not support the notion of ghosts as spirits of the deceased haunting the living, it recognizes the existence of jinn, who can interact with the world in various ways.
Sources
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6:36 · Al-An'aam
6:36 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
۞ إِنَّمَا يَسْتَجِيبُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْمَعُونَ ۘ وَٱلْمَوْتَىٰ يَبْعَثُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ
Only those can accept who hear. As for the dead, Allah will raise them up; then unto Him they will be returned.
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35:22 · Faatir
35:22 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَمَا يَسْتَوِى ٱلْأَحْيَآءُ وَلَا ٱلْأَمْوَٰتُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُسْمِعُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۖ وَمَآ أَنتَ بِمُسْمِعٍۢ مَّن فِى ٱلْقُبُورِ
Nor are the living equal with the dead. Lo! Allah maketh whom He will to hear. Thou canst not reach those who are in the graves.
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Sunan al-Tirmidhi 47:375
Sunan al-Tirmidhi · Book 47, Hadith 375 · Narrated by Ibn Abbas
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) never recited the Quran to the jinn nor saw them. Once, he set out with a group of his companions heading to the Ukaz marketplace, while the devils intercepted the news of Heaven and meteorites were sent against them. The devils returned to their people, saying, "What has obstructed us from hearing news of Heaven?" They said, "It is something new." They roamed the east and west of the earth searching for what prevented them from hearing news of Heaven. Meanwhile, the Prophet was praying at Nakhlah towards Ukaz during dawn prayer with his companions. When the devils heard the Quran, they listened carefully and said, "That is indeed what obstructed us and the news of Heaven." They returned to their people saying, "O our people! We have indeed heard a marvelous Quran that guides to the right path; we believe in it and will not associate anyone with our Lord." Then Allah revealed to His Prophet: "Say, it has been revealed to me that a group of jinn listened..." The reference to revelation to the Prophet is of the jinn's hearing.
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