Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that (on one occasion) the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by two graves, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "These two are being punished, and not for something major. One of them did not protect himself from urine, and the other used to spread tales (gossip)." Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took a fresh twig, split it into two, and placed one piece on each grave. The people asked, "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), why did you do this?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, "Perhaps their punishment will be lightened as long as these twigs do not dry."