Planting shrubs and twigs on graves

Planting shrubs and twigs on graves

Planting shrubs and twigs on graves

Question

Is it permissible to plant trees or shrubs on a grave, as there is ḥadīth that the Prophet ﷺ placed fresh twigs on a grave?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

Answer

There is no harm in placing a twig or a small plant on a grave. However, this should not be regarded necessary and one must avoid being pretentious and spending money for this purpose. Some people purchase flowers and bouquets, this is not correct. Money should be donated instead, as this is the most effective method of benefiting the deceased.

Further, it was not the general practice of our beloved Prophet ﷺ to place fresh twigs at each burial. However, fresh twigs were placed on one occasion in a specific context which has been subject to scholarly discussion, as detailed in an earlier answer. Therefore, if a twig or small plant is placed without being pretentious and spending any money, this is permissible.

Allah knows best

Yusuf Shabbir

18 Ṣafar 1442 / 6 October 2020

Approved by: Mufti Shabbir Ahmed and Mufti Muhammad Tahir