He was asked:

When the living visit the dead, are the dead aware of their visit? And do they know when someone dies, whether a relative of theirs or someone else?

He replied:

Praise be to Allah. Yes, reports have come down concerning their meeting one another, questioning one another, and the deeds of the living being presented to the dead. Thus, Ibn al-Mubārak narrated that Abū Ayyūb al-Ansārī said:

“When the believer’s soul is taken, the recipients of mercy among Allah’s servants welcome it as people welcome a bearer of glad tidings in this world. They turn to him and question him, but some say to others: ‘Give your brother time to rest, for he has been in severe distress.’”

He continued: “They then turn to him and ask: ‘What happened to so-and-so? And what happened to such-and-such a woman? Has she married?’” The report continues.

As for the deceased’s awareness of a living person who visits him and greets him with peace, Ibn ʿAbbās narrated that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“No one passes by the grave of a fellow believer whom he knew in this world and greets him with peace without the deceased recognizing him and returning his greeting.”

Ibn al-Mubārak said: “This is established from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.” It was also graded authentic by ʿAbd al-Haqq, the author of al-Ahkām.