Planting Branches in the Graves of the Dead

Question:
The Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, says: We hear people issuing rulings that it is recommended to plant branches in the graves of the dead. Is there a basis for this action?

Answer:
This is a bid'ah (religious innovation), this is a bid'ah, and planting branches over the dead does not benefit them. However, they may be citing, incorrectly, that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) asked for a palm branch when he passed by two graves where two people were being punished for talebearing, or for not cleaning themselves from urine. He ordered a palm branch to be split in two and placed on each grave. This is specific to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), as evidenced by the fact that the Companions did not do this after the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). It is specific to the Messenger because Allah reveals to him things He does not reveal to others. Therefore, we do not do this, because it is specific to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him).