Q 5: Do the Prophets' bodies decompose in graves? A: Allah prohibited the earth to decompose dead bodies of the Prophets and Messengers. Therefore the dead bodies of Prophets never decompose; they stay alive in their graves and lead another life in Barzakh (period between death and the Resurrection). Allah Alone knows about such a life. Such a life is different from life in this world. The souls of Prophets are in Paradise and the same applies to the souls of believers and our Prophet Muhammad whose soul is with the Higher Companion in Paradise according to the Hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad, Vol. 4 p.8, from Aws ibn Abu Aws (Part No. 2; Page No. 444

A: Allah prohibited the earth to decompose dead bodies of the Prophets and Messengers. Therefore the dead bodies of Prophets never decompose; they stay alive in their graves and lead another life in Barzakh (period between death and the Resurrection). Allah Alone knows about such a life. Such a life is different from life in this world. The souls of Prophets are in Paradise and the same applies to the souls of believers and our Prophet Muhammad whose soul is with the Higher Companion in Paradise according to the Hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad, Vol. 4 p.8, from Aws ibn Abu Aws (Part No. 2; Page No. 444)  in the end of which he mentioned: Allah, the Exalted, has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of Prophets (peace be upon them). Narrated by Abu Dawud, and Ibn Majah in their Sunan with a similar wording but an authentic Isnad (chain of narrators). However it is not permissible to invoke the Prophets, seek succor and help from them and make vows for them. In fact all these acts are acts of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) according to the Saying of Allah (Exalted be He): And the mosques are for Allâh (Alone): so invoke not anyone along with Allâh. And the Saying of Allah (Glorified be He): And whoever invokes (or worships), besides Allâh, any other ilâh (god), of whom he has no proof; then his reckoning is only with his Lord. Surely! Al-Kâfirûn (the disbelievers in Allâh and in the Oneness of Allâh, polytheists, pagans, idolaters) will not be successful. And the Saying of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He): Such is Allâh, your Lord; His is the kingdom. And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmîr (the thin membrane over the date-stone). If you invoke (or call upon) them, they hear not your call; and if (in case) they were to hear, they could not grant it (your request) to you. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them. And none can inform you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) like Him Who is the All-Knower (of everything). All these blessed Ayahs (Qur'anic Verses) and other similar Ayahs and Hadiths apply to Prophets, righteous people, angels and others. Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream), from the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), (Part No. 2; Page No. 445) and their followers with good conduct all agree upon the lawfulness of these acts.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.