Do not call them dead

After the Battle of Uhud, Jabir Ibn Abdullah, a prominent companion of the Prophet (SAW) was visibly sad. The Prophet approached him and asked why he was sad. Jabir responded that he was sad because his father was martyred, leaving behind debts and children (including Jabir). 

The Prophet began to offer consolation to Jabir:

‏ يَا جَابِرُ أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكَ مَا قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لأَبِيكَ
O Jabir, shall I not tell you what Allah said to your father?

Of course Jabir responds yes. The Prophet explains that Allah speaks to no one except from behind a screen, but that He made an exception to speak with your father face to face.

The Prophet continues, saying that Allah asked Jabir’s father a question:

فَقَالَ يَا عَبْدِي تَمَنَّ عَلَىَّ أُعْطِكَ ‏

“O My slave, ask Me and I shall give you.”

Abdullah Abu Jabir’s response is powerful:

قَالَ يَا رَبِّ تُحْيِينِي فَأُقْتَلُ فِيكَ ثَانِيَةً

He said: “O my Lord, bring me back to life so that I may be killed for Your sake a second time.”

Allah tells Jabir’s father that He has already decreed that those who have passed away cannot return to the dunya. So He asks Jabir’s father to ask again. Abu Jabir responds:

قَالَ يَا رَبِّ فَأَبْلِغْ مَنْ وَرَائِي 

He said: “O Lord, convey (the good news about my state) to those whom I have left behind.”

In response to this request, Allah (SWT) revealed these ayahs, 169-171 in Surat Al e Imran:

وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمْوَٰتًۢا ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَآءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ (١٦٩) فَرِحِينَ بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَيَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَلْحَقُوا۟ بِهِم مِّنْ خَلْفِهِمْ أَلَّا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ (١٧٠) ۞ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ (١٧١)

[Prophet], do not think of those who have been killed in God’s way as dead. They are alive with their Lord, well provided for, happy with what God has given them of His favour; rejoicing that for those they have left behind who have yet to join them there is no fear, nor will they grieve; [rejoicing] in God’s blessing and favour, and that God will not let the reward of the believers be lost.

According to Shaykh Abdullah at Seerah Intensive today, these are the only verses to be revealed at the request of a dead person. And they are very beautiful.