Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by a grave and stood by it, then said, "Bring me two date-palm sticks." Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) planted one stick at the head and the other at the feet. It was asked, "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)! Will this benefit him?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, "Perhaps the punishment of the grave will be lessened for them as long as these remain moist (as long as they are fresh)."

Hazrat Bahr bin Marar narrates from his grandfather Hazrat Abu Bakrah that he said: I was walking with the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when he passed by two graves. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: These two are being punished. Who will bring me a date-palm stick? Hazrat Abu Bakrah says that I and another person hurried and brought a date-palm stick to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) split the stick from its end into two parts and placed one on one grave and the other on the second grave, and said: As long as there is moisture in these sticks, perhaps because of it their punishment will be lessened. They are being punished for backbiting and for not protecting themselves from urine (drops).

Hazrat Ya'la (may Allah be pleased with him) bin Siabah narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by a grave whose occupant was being punished. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The person in this grave is not being punished for any major sin. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) called for a date-palm stick, placed it on the grave, and said: Perhaps because of this, his punishment will be lessened as long as the date-palm stick remains fresh.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by two graves and said: These two are being punished, and they are not being punished for something major; one of them did not protect himself from urine drops, and the other used to spread tales (carry gossip). Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took a fresh date-palm branch, split it in two, and placed one piece on each grave. The companions asked, O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)! Why did you do this? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: Perhaps their punishment may be reduced as long as these remain fresh.

A narration similar to this has been reported from Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both).