Question

Is it true that if we plant flowers/plants near a grave stone, then the punishment will be eased and is this because the plants worship Allah?

Answer

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu’anhuma) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) passed by two graves whose inmates were being punished.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) ordered that a branch of a date palm be broken in two pieces and placed on the graves, after which he said;

‘Perhaps it will lighten the punishment for them (the two inmates) as long as these (branches) do not dry out’

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 216)

Because of the above, some Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum) would bequest that after their burial, a date branch should be erected on their grave/placed in the grave. This has been reported from Sayyiduna Buraydah and Sayyiduna Abu Barzah (radiyallahu’anhuma)

(Sahih Bukhari, Chapter on (placing) a date branch on the grave, before Hadith: 1361, Tarikh Dimashq, vol.62 pg.100 -Darul Fikr edition- and Sharhus Sudur, pg.405-406)

The grand commentator of Sahih Bukhari; Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) writes: “This [the Hadith followed by the practice of the Sahabi] is what is worth following.

(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 216)

Also see: i’laus sunan, vol. 8 pg. 344, Raddul Muhtar, vol. 2 pg. 245 and Fatawa Hadithiyyah of ibn Hajar Al-Haytami, pg. 273-274.

The commentators mention: it is possible that the reason for this is because the fresh branch/ plant engages in the dhikr [remembrance] of Allah – like every other living thing- (Fathul Bari and Tafsir Ibn Kathir; Surah Isra, verse: 44)

Note: The above will be achieved with any type of branch or plant; it doesn’t have to be from the date palm or any one particular flower.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

 

Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar