ABLUTION SECTION · 11 – PURIFICATION FROM URINE
According to a narration from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came across two graves, and said, “Indeed, those within these graves are being punished, but not for major sins.” He then said, "One of them did not guard against urine, and the other was a gossiper."
Then he requested a fresh date palm shoot. (It was brought to him), and he split it in two, planting one piece on one grave and the other on the other, and said, “It is hoped that their punishment will be alleviated as long as these shoots remain green.” [41] The narrator, Hinnad, stated instead of "did not guard against" (yastanzihu), "covered up" (yastetiru).
COMMENTARY:
Our Lord has given prophets miracles, with which they know the state of those in the graves. Those among the Prophet’s community who have attained a spiritual station (karamat) can also know the state of the deceased.
Thus, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) became aware of the condition of those in these two graves and informed that they were being punished. Indeed, conveying falsehood is forbidden, and urine is among major impurities. But these are considered insignificant by people. It has been narrated that the owners of these two graves are being punished because of this, to indicate that these are not sins to be taken lightly, and that as a result, both will lead to punishment in the grave.
As for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) requesting a fresh date palm shoot, splitting it into two pieces, and planting them on the graves, hoping their punishment would be alleviated as long as they remain green:
Everything in this universe glorifies our Lord through its condition, especially the praise of fresh grasses and trees. The praise of the fresh grass and trees that are upon the graves alleviates the torment of those beneath. (Bezl’ul-Mechûd vol. 1, p. 55) Thus, it is disliked (makruh) to pluck, uproot, or cut the fresh grass and trees found in graveyards. This hadith is a transmitted proof (nakli delil) for Sunni Muslims regarding the existence of punishment in the grave.
From Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him:
A narration relating to the meaning of a hadith from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, states, “He did not observe concealment from his urine.” In the narration of Abu Muawiya, it is stated, "He did not avoid it." [42]
**Explanation:**
One version of this hadith is narrated as “la yestetiru min bevlihi,” which means he did not protect himself or observe covering during urination.
Another version states: “la yestenzihu min bevlihi,” meaning he did not shield his upper body from his urine. These two narrations are concordant in meaning. Just as exposing the private parts while relieving oneself is forbidden, so too is urinating with a splash.
On the authority of Abdurrahman bin Hasen, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:
– 'Amr ibn al-'As and I went to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. He came out with a Deraka (a shield made of leather), covering himself and relieving himself in it. We looked at each other and said, "He is urinating like women." He heard what we said and said to us:
"Do you not know about what happened to the companion of the Children of Israel? When urine touched their garments, they would cut out the place where it had touched. (His companions) forbade them from this meticulousness, and they were punished in their graves.”
Abu Dawud said:
Mansur narrated from Abu Wail, who narrated from Abu Musa, in the narration of this hadith, "Urine would touch one of their skins."
And Asim narrated from Abu Wail, who narrated from Abu Musa, who narrated from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, “Urine would touch one of their bodies.” [43]
EXPLANATION
This noble hadith warns those who seek to abandon prohibitions that they will be punished for insisting on them. The incident that occurred among the Children of Israel serves as an example of this. Those who prevent others from purifying themselves from urine, which is a major impurity, will also be punished. If those who forbid are punished, it is naturally understood that those who do not purify themselves willingly will also be punished in their graves.
In one narration, it is related, “When urine touched one of their skins,” while in another narration, it is related, “When urine touched one of their bodies.”