Q 3: I read in a book titled Al-Hawy Li Al-Fatawy by Imam
Al-Suyuty
that the dead can hear what the living people say about them and their praise of them. (Part No. 9; Page No. 82) They also know the living people who visit them and that the dead pay visits to one another. Is this true and acceptable? Imam Al-Suyuty relied upon some Hadiths and Athar (narrations from the Companions) in the Vol. 2, P.169, 170, 171.
A:
The basic ruling is that the dead do not hear the living except in cases supported with a Nas (Islamic text from the Qur’an or the Sunnah). Allah (Exalted be He) says to His Prophet (peace be upon him):
So verily, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) cannot make the dead to hear (i.e. The disbelievers)
and He (Exalted be He) says:
...but you cannot make hear those who are in graves.
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.