Can anyone bring the dead back to life?

One of the basic principles of sound belief (‘aqeedah) is belief in Allaah and that He is the only One Who can give life and cause death. The one who claims that someone other than Allaah is able to give life and cause death is a kaafir. Even the mushrikeen in their Jaahiliyyah (ignorance) did not believe such a thing of their idols and gods. 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“How can you disbelieve in Allaah? Seeing that you were dead and He gave you life. Then He will give you death, then again will bring you to life (on the Day of Resurrection) and then unto Him you will return” [al-Baqarah 2:28] 

“and it is He Who gives life to the dead, and it is He Who is Able to do all things” [al-Hajj 22:6] 

“It is He, Who gave you life, and then will cause you to die, and will again give you life (on the Day of Resurrection). Verily, man is indeed an ingrate” [al-Hajj 22:66]

Allaah has stated that other so-called gods are incapable of creating, granting provision, giving life or causing death. 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Allaah is He Who created you, then provided food for you, then will cause you to die, then (again) He will give you life (on the Day of Resurrection). Is there any of your (so‑called) partners (of Allaah) that do anything of that? Glory be to Him! And Exalted be He above all that (evil) they associate (with Him)” [al-Room 30:40]

Shaykh Muhammad al-Ameen al-Shanqeeti said:  

The words of Allaah in this verse – “Is there any of your (so‑called) partners (of Allaah) that do anything of that? Glory be to Him! And Exalted be He above all that (evil) they associate (with Him)” – clearly indicate that not one of those partners was able to do anything of that which is mentioned in the verse, including giving life, which is referred to in the words “created you”, causing death, which is referred to in the words “will cause you to die”, and resurrecting, which is referred to in the words “then (again) He will give you life”. Allaah states that they do not have the power of resurrection in the words (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Or have they taken (for worship) aalihah (gods) from the earth who raise the dead?” [al-Anbiya’ 21:21]

Allaah states that they do not have the power of giving life or resurrecting, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Say: ‘Is there of your (Allaah’s so-called) partners one that originates the creation and then repeats it?’ Say: ‘Allaah originates the creation and then He repeats it. Then how are you deluded away (from the truth)?’” [Yoonus 10:34]

And He states that He alone is the One in Whose hand are death and life, in many verses, such as the following (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And no person can ever die except by Allaah’s Leave and at an appointed term” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:145] 

“And Allaah grants respite to none when his appointed time (death) comes” [al-Munaafiqoon 63:11] 

“Verily, the term of Allaah when it comes, cannot be delayed” [Nooh 71:4] 

“How can you disbelieve in Allaah? Seeing that you were dead and He gave you life. Then He will give you death, then again will bring you to life (on the Day of Resurrection) and then unto Him you will return” [al-Baqarah 2:28] 

“They will say: ‘Our Lord! You have made us to die twice (i.e. we were dead in the loins of our fathers and dead after our life in this world), and You have given us life twice (i.e. life when we were born and life when we are resurrected)!’” [Ghaafir 40:11]

And there are other similar verses. 

What we have mentioned of how these verses explain one another is something that no Muslim has any excuse for not knowing. End quote.  Adwa’ al-Bayaan (6/271). 

One of the signs or miracles of ‘Eesa ibn Maryam (peace be upon him) was that he was able to bring the dead back to life by Allaah’s Leave; ‘Eesa (peace be upon him) would not have been able to do that if his Lord had not willed it. 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And will make him [‘Eesa (Jesus)] a Messenger to the Children of Israel (saying): ‘I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, a figure like that of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allaah’s Leave; and I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allaah’s Leave’” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:49] 

“(Remember) when Allaah will say (on the Day of Resurrection). ‘O ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Remember My Favour to you and to your mother when I supported you with Rooh‑ul‑Qudus [Jibreel (Gabriel)] so that you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and when I taught you writing, Al‑Hikmah (the power of understanding), the Tawraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel); and when you made out of the clay, a figure like that of a bird, by My Permission, and you breathed into it, and it became a bird by My Permission, and you healed those born blind, and the lepers by My Permission, and when you brought forth the dead by My Permission’” [al-Maa’idah 5:110]

As for what his opponent said to Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) about being able to give life and cause death, this is among the most foolish and falsest of claims. Hence when Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) debated with him he defeated that kaafir in argument and proved the falseness of his claim. 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Have you not looked at him who disputed with Ibraaheem (Abraham) about his Lord (Allaah), because Allaah had given him the kingdom? When Ibraaheem (Abraham) said (to him): ‘My Lord (Allaah) is He Who gives life and causes death.’ He said, ‘I give life and cause death.’ Ibraaheem (Abraham) said, ‘Verily, Allaah brings the sun from the east; then bring it you from the west.’ So the disbeliever was utterly defeated. And Allaah guides not the people, who are Zaalimoon (wrongdoers)” [al-Baqarah 2:258]

No human being can claim that he is able to bring the dead back to life. If anyone claims that, then here are the Messengers, Prophets and great men who died – let him bring them back to life if his claim is true! 

And Allaah knows best.