Fatwa ID: 03362

Answered by: Alimah Sabrina al-Faarsiyyah​

Question

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,

Are we allowed to plant flowers at a graveside?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful 

Answer

Wa Alaikum Salam,

Placing flowers at the grave of a deceased has become a common practice among Muslims and Non-Muslims. Due to this, many Muslims assume this practice to be permissible, and sometimes even assume it to be a sunnah practice. Those who deem it to be permissible use the following practice of the Prophet (salla llahu alayhi wa sallam) as evidence: He once passed by two graves in which two people (in the graves) were being tortured. So He called for a fresh twig and split it into two parts and planted one part on each grave and said: “Perhaps their punishment may be lessened as long as the twigs remain fresh.”^[1]

However, this hadith has its own context and should not be used to justify the placing of flower bouquets on graves. The commentators of Hadith explain several reasons why this incident is specific, therefore this narration is out of the question. Apart from this hadith, we neither find incidents of the Prophet (salla llahu alayhi wa sallam) nor his companions showing that they placed or planted flowers at gravesites. Therefore, this practice is not sunnah. Furthermore, it should be avoided as it is predominantly practised by the non-Muslims.^[2] If a Muslim starts practising it while deeming it a necessity, this will make it an innovation, therefore impermissible.^[3]

Only Allāh knows best

Written by Alimah Sabrina al-Faarsiyyah

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

^[1]Sahih al-Bukhari, Babu Azabil Qabri Minal Ghibati Wal Bawli

^[2]Hadith: He who copies any people is one of them: Sunan Abu Dawud, Babu Fi Lubsi Shuhrah

^[3]Fatawa Mahmudiyyah 9/173, Dar al-Ifta Karachi