| Answer: The following questions arise on this Hadīth:
The first question is about the two people whose graves
are mentioned. The incident could have occurred in Makkah since there was no
graveyard in Makkah for the Muslims. In other words, this graveyard should be in
Madīnah. Now if it was in Madīnah, the Prophet (sws) could not have been unaware
of the death of two Muslims since he always kept himself informed about what
happened to all his companions. All Muslims knew one another in Madīnah. In the
eleven year stay at this place, it is very unlikely that the Prophet (sws) would
have been unaware of the death of two of his companions. This means that these
two individuals were from among the non-believers. It is unlikely that the
Prophet (sws) would have prayed for the forgiveness of the non-believers in
Madīnah, since he had been divinely informed that these people had deliberately
denied the truth.
Who then were these people for whom the Prophet (sws)
prayed?
The second question which arises is the act of the Prophet
(sws) of placing a green leaf as a means to lessen their torture. This is
something which is totally inexplicable. What it means is that once the leaves
have dried out the punishment would restart!
The third question concerns the sins mentioned in this
Hadīth. Obviously, they are of two different categories. While the first is not
a major sin, the second definitely is. How can the punishment of the two be the
same. Punishing a person who soils his clothes with urine seems unjustified
unless, of course, there are other details to this matter.
So, in my opinion, until and unless these questions are
answered, this Hadīth can in no way be accepted.
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