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On a recent visit to a Muslim graveyard, I see people put rose petals on the graves of their loved ones.
On inquiry, I was informed that the Prophet (SAW) once put a leaf on the grave to reduce the punishment of that grave's occupant.
So my queries are:
The hadith is in Sahih Muslim:
Once the Prophet, while passing through one of the graveyards of Medina or Mecca heard the voices of two persons who were being tortured in their graves. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "These two persons are being tortured not for a major sin (to avoid)." The Prophet (ﷺ) then added, "Yes! (they are being tortured for a major sin). Indeed, one of them never saved himself from being soiled with his urine while the other used to go about with calumnies (to make enmity between friends). The Prophet (ﷺ) then asked for a green leaf of a date-palm tree, broke it into two pieces and put one on each grave. On being asked why he had done so, he replied, "I hope that their torture might be lessened, till these get dried." (sunnah.com)
From this hadith, some scholars say that putting flowers on graves is allowed.
I can't translate this fatwa, but if know Arabic, see this: IslamWeb.net. And some of those who said it's allowed, say that giving the price of those flowers as sadaqa on behalf of the dead is better.
Some others say it's not allowed because in another long hadith in sahih muslim the prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned that the reduction of punishment happened because of his shafaa (intercession):
he said (the prophet peace be upon him): I passed by two graves the occupants of which had been undergoing torment. I liked to make intercession for them so that the might be relieved of this torment y as long as these twigs remain fresh
In Arabic:
قَالَ " إِنِّي مَرَرْتُ بِقَبْرَيْنِ يُعَذَّبَانِ فَأَحْبَبْتُ بِشَفَاعَتِي أَنْ يُرَفَّهَ عَنْهُمَا مَا دَامَ الْغُصْنَانِ رَطْبَيْنِ "
From this hadith, some scholars says that this act is private to the prophet (peace be upon him). So there is difference of opinions on this issue.
I think if the answers are not clear and it raises concerns its best to leave a grave as it is .. I lost my father 6 weeks ago and having read so many things about planting and leaving flowers on the grave there is no clear answer so why add things to a grave rather leave it plain simple and keep it clean yes grass etc may grow over time im told old dead grass can be removed that's it I think I have answerd my own question now on if I should put a plant on the grave I think il say no and leave it plain and simple
Jzk khairan
Surely by copying of profit Cannot be detrimental to one’s life as with regards to the “Mayats” in the graves I agree that the money spent on flowers could possibly be more beneficial if given towards a good cause eg: to orphanage.
