2/34. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 292a — Grave Punishment Warning
The evidence that urine is impure and the obligation to take precautions concerning it
Punishment of the Grave Hadith: Tale-Carrying and Urine
Sahih Muslim : 292a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 292a
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو سَعِيدٍ الأَشَجُّ، وَأَبُو كُرَيْبٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ قَالَ إِسْحَاقُ أَخْبَرَنَا وَقَالَ الآخَرَانِ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ مُجَاهِدًا، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ طَاوُسٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ مَرَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى قَبْرَيْنِ فَقَالَ " أَمَا إِنَّهُمَا لَيُعَذَّبَانِ وَمَا يُعَذَّبَانِ فِي كَبِيرٍ أَمَّا أَحَدُهُمَا فَكَانَ يَمْشِي بِالنَّمِيمَةِ وَأَمَّا الآخَرُ فَكَانَ لاَ يَسْتَتِرُ مِنْ بَوْلِهِ " . قَالَ فَدَعَا بِعَسِيبٍ رَطْبٍ فَشَقَّهُ بِاثْنَيْنِ ثُمَّ غَرَسَ عَلَى هَذَا وَاحِدًا وَعَلَى هَذَا وَاحِدًا ثُمَّ قَالَ " لَعَلَّهُ أَنْ يُخَفَّفَ عَنْهُمَا مَا لَمْ يَيْبَسَا " .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) happened to pass by two graves and said: They (their occupants) are being tormented, but they are not tormented for a grievous sin. One of them carried tales and the other did not keep himself safe from being defiled by urine. He then called for a fresh twig and split it into two parts, and planted them on each grave and then said: Perhaps, their punishment way be mitigated as long as these twigs remain fresh.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 292aIn-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 143USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 2, Hadith 575
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 292a
This punishment of the grave hadith contains a serious warning. Ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) passed by two graves and said the occupants were being tormented. The text names two causes: one carried tales, and the other did not keep himself safe from being defiled by urine. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) then called for a fresh twig, split it into two parts, placed one on each grave, and said that perhaps their punishment would be lessened as long as the twigs stayed fresh. The report teaches care in speech and care in cleanliness, exactly as stated in the narration.
What we learn from this hadith
- Carrying tales is mentioned as a cause connected to punishment.
- Not keeping safe from urine defilement is also mentioned.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) placed fresh twigs on the graves.
- He said perhaps the punishment may be lessened while they remained fresh.
