Is it possible to return to this world to do righteous deeds?

Question

Praise be to Allah.

Firstly:

You should note, may Allaah bless you, that people’s life
spans are in the hand of Allaah, Who says (interpretation of the meaning):

“For everything there is
a time prescribed”

[al-Ra’d 13:38 –
Pickthall]

“and no person knows in what land he will die”

[Luqmaan 31:34]

It is not possible for anyone to know when he will die; it is
only speculation which may be proven true or may be proven false.

Sickness – for example – does not mean that a person will die
soon, just as being young and strong does not mean that a person will live
for a long time.

How often have people assumed that a sick person will die
soon, then he has lived for a long time. And how often has death come
suddenly to a healthy person.

The poet spoke the truth when he said:

Equip yourself with piety, for you do not know, when night
comes, whether you will live till dawn.

How many young men laugh in the evening and the morning, when
their shrouds have been prepared but they do not realize?

How often do people hope for a long life for young people,
then their bodies enter the darkness of the grave.

How many brides have been adorned for their grooms, when it
has been decreed on Laylat al-Qadar that their souls are to be taken.

How many healthy people have died for no reason, and how many
sick people lived for a long time.

What is required of the believer is to prepare for death at
any time, by repenting to Allaah and doing righteous deeds. Ibn Maajah
(4259) narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: I was with the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when a man from among the Ansaar
came to him and greeted the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) with salaam, then he said: “O Messenger of Allaah, which of the
believers is best?” He said: “The one who is best in attitude.” He said:
“Which of the believers is most wise?” He said: “The one who remembers death
the most, and is best prepared for what comes after it. Those are the wise.”
Al-Iraaqi said: its isnaad is jayyid. It was classed as hasan by al-Albaani
in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.

We send her the glad tidings that if she is sincere in her
repentance, then Allaah will accept her repentance and will turn her bad
deeds into good deeds. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic
Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their
sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”

[al-Furqaan 25:70]

See also question no.
14289

Secondly:

When the believer enters Paradise, Allaah will give him all
that he wishes for, and more than he wishes for. Allaah says (interpretation
of the meaning):

“Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there
will be) therein all that inner‑selves could desire, and all that eyes could
delight in and you will abide therein forever”

[al-Zukhruf 43:71]

Al-Bukhaari (806) narrated from Abu Hurayrah and Abu Sa’eed
al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with them) in a lengthy hadeeth that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told them of the
last of the people of Paradise to be admitted to Paradise. Allaah will say
to him:

“Tell Me your wishes.” So he will say all that he wishes for,
and Allaah will prompt him to mention other wishes and when he cannot wish
for any more, Allah will say “You will have that and a similar amount
besides.” Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said to Abu
Hurayrah, The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said, “Allaah said, ‘You will have that and ten times more.’” Abu
Hurayrah said, “I only remember the Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) saying, ‘You will have that and a similar
amount besides.’” Abu Sa’eed said, “I heard him saying, ‘You will have that
and ten times more.’”

But if a believer wishes to go back to this world then he
will not be granted that, because Allaah has decreed that no one will go
back to this world.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And a ban is laid on every town (population) which We
have destroyed that they shall not return (to this world again, nor repent
to Us)”

[al-Anbiya’ 21:95]

i.e., the people of the
towns that Allaah has destroyed will wish to go back to this world so that
they can make up for what they missed.

See Tafseer al-Sa’di, 868.

Al-Bukhaari (2817) and Muslim (1877) narrated that Anas ibn
Maalik said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “No one who enters Paradise will wish to come back to this world, even
if he were to be given all that it contains, except for the martyr, who will
wish that he could come back and killed ten times because of the honour that
he sees.”

But that wish will not be granted to him.

Al-Tirmidhi (3010) and Ibn Maajah (190) narrated that Jaabir
ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Haraam said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) met me on the day of Uhud and said: ‘O
Jaabir, shall I not tell you what Allaah said to your father?’ I said: ‘Yes,
O Messenger of Allaah.’ He said: ‘Allaah has never spoken to anyone except
from behind a screen, but He spoke to your father directly and said: “O My
slave, ask something from Me and I shall give it to you.” He said, “O Lord,
bring me back to life so that I may be killed for Your sake a second time.”
The Lord, may He be glorified, said: “I have already decreed that they will
not return to life.” He said, “My Lord, then convey (this news) to those
whom I have left behind.” Allaah said:

“Think not of those as dead who are killed in the way of
Allaah. Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:169].’”

Classed as saheeh by
al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.

We ask Allaah to bless your sister and all the Muslims with
sincere repentance.

And Allaah knows best.