Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) Replying to the Salaam

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Whenever anyone makes salaam to me (at my grave), Allah Ta‘ala returns my soul to my body so that I reply to his greetings.” ^[1]

In Sharh-e-Manaasik, Haafiz Ibnu Hajar (rahimahullah) writes that the meaning of the return of the soul is that Allah Ta‘ala grants Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) the ability to speak. Hazrat Qaadhi Iyaaz (rahimahullah) writes that the soul of Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) remains absorbed in the presence of Allah Ta‘ala, and on being greeted with salaam, inclines towards the greeting. ^[2]