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