❖ The Islamic Ruling on the Return of Souls to the World on Friday Night ❖
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 134
Is it correct to believe that souls return to the world on Friday night or during the day of Jumuʿah?
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
The Qur’an clearly denies the return of souls to the world after death.
Allah says:
﴿قَالَ رَبِّ ارْجِعُونِ ﴾ ... ﴿وَمِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ بَرْزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ﴾
“He will say, ‘My Lord! Send me back so that I may do righteous deeds.’ No! It is but a word he speaks. And behind them is a barrier (Barzakh) until the Day they are resurrected.”
(Sūrah al-Muʾminūn: 99–100)
Explanation:
This verse clearly establishes that after death, the soul enters Barzakh, and cannot return to the world until the Day of Resurrection.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The soul of the believer is like a bird in the trees of Paradise until Allah returns it to its body on the Day of Judgment.”
(Sunan al-Nasā’ī, ḥadīth: 2076 – Authentic)
Narrated from ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Our souls will request to return to our bodies, but Allah will not allow them.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, ḥadīth: 2872)
Explanation:
These narrations confirm that souls remain in Barzakh and do not return to earth, regardless of whether it is Friday or any other day.
The souls of disbelievers are imprisoned in Sijjīn, as mentioned in the Qur’an:
﴿كَلَّا إِنَّ كِتَابَ الْفُجَّارِ لَفِي سِجِّينٍ﴾
“Indeed, the record of the wicked is in Sijjīn.”
(Sūrah al-Muṭaffifīn: 7–8)
How can a soul that is imprisoned in Sijjīn return to the world?
This belief is in clear contradiction to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
The notion that souls return to visit their homes on Friday nights is rooted in ignorant traditions and baseless myths.
➤ Practices such as:
…are superstitious customs with no basis in Islam and should be avoided completely.
✔ According to Qur’anic and Prophetic teachings, souls do not return to the world after death, whether on Friday or any other day.
✔ The soul enters Barzakh, where it remains until the Day of Resurrection.
✔ The belief that souls return to their homes on Friday nights is a baseless claim and part of ignorant customs that must be shunned.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 134❖ Question
Is it correct to believe that souls return to the world on Friday night or during the day of Jumuʿah?
❖ Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
➊ Clarification from the Noble Qur’an
The Qur’an clearly denies the return of souls to the world after death.
Allah says:﴿قَالَ رَبِّ ارْجِعُونِ ﴾ ... ﴿وَمِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ بَرْزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ﴾
“He will say, ‘My Lord! Send me back so that I may do righteous deeds.’ No! It is but a word he speaks. And behind them is a barrier (Barzakh) until the Day they are resurrected.”
(Sūrah al-Muʾminūn: 99–100)
Explanation:
This verse clearly establishes that after death, the soul enters Barzakh, and cannot return to the world until the Day of Resurrection.
➋ Clarification from Authentic Hadith
(1) The Believer’s Soul Resides in Paradise
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The soul of the believer is like a bird in the trees of Paradise until Allah returns it to its body on the Day of Judgment.”
(Sunan al-Nasā’ī, ḥadīth: 2076 – Authentic)
(2) Souls Will Request to Return Before the Hour but Will Be Denied
Narrated from ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Our souls will request to return to our bodies, but Allah will not allow them.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, ḥadīth: 2872)
Explanation:
These narrations confirm that souls remain in Barzakh and do not return to earth, regardless of whether it is Friday or any other day.
➌ The Fate of Disbelievers’ Souls
The souls of disbelievers are imprisoned in Sijjīn, as mentioned in the Qur’an:
﴿كَلَّا إِنَّ كِتَابَ الْفُجَّارِ لَفِي سِجِّينٍ﴾“Indeed, the record of the wicked is in Sijjīn.”
(Sūrah al-Muṭaffifīn: 7–8)
How can a soul that is imprisoned in Sijjīn return to the world?This belief is in clear contradiction to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
➍ False Cultural Practices and Ignorant Beliefs
The notion that souls return to visit their homes on Friday nights is rooted in ignorant traditions and baseless myths.
➤ Practices such as:
- Placing food in graveyards on Friday nights
- Preparing meals in homes for visiting souls
…are superstitious customs with no basis in Islam and should be avoided completely.
➎ Conclusion
✔ According to Qur’anic and Prophetic teachings, souls do not return to the world after death, whether on Friday or any other day.
✔ The soul enters Barzakh, where it remains until the Day of Resurrection.
✔ The belief that souls return to their homes on Friday nights is a baseless claim and part of ignorant customs that must be shunned.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
