The ruling on kissing the head of a disbeliever or an open sinner to reconcile his heart
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner:
Is it permissible to kiss the head of a disbeliever or an open sinner to reconcile his heart, citing the action of that Companion during the time of 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)?
The Shaykh:
Allah knows best; there is no report on this matter. What is permissible is that he does not kiss his head, nor embrace him. However, if the other person initiates the salam, he returns it, and if he extends his hand, he shakes it. The one who initiates the greeting is the one who starts.
The questioner:
And regarding the Companions kissing [heads], what is your opinion? In the time of 'Umar, what is that attributed to?
The Shaykh:
It was 'Abdullah ibn Hazafah.
The questioner:
When 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) ordered the Companions to kiss his head.
The Shaykh:
That was for an important matter in the interest of the Muslims, namely the release of prisoners. If it is for the interest of the Muslims, there is no objection to kissing his head, and there is no harm. But for the sake of pleasing him personally, there is no harm.
The questioner:
No, no, he will commit to it, and his situation will be rectified.
The Shaykh:
If it is for the interest of the Muslims, there is no objection. He initiates the salam and kisses his head if it is for the release of prisoners, or the opening of a village for the Muslims, or repelling harm from the Muslims. This is a simple matter with no objection. He kisses his head and then shakes his hand.
The questioner:
But to reconcile his heart personally, just to reconcile him. No, no, no.
The Shaykh:
No, but if it is for the interest of the Muslims, there is no objection.
Is it permissible to kiss the head of a disbeliever or an open sinner to reconcile his heart, citing the action of that Companion during the time of 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)?
The Shaykh:
Allah knows best; there is no report on this matter. What is permissible is that he does not kiss his head, nor embrace him. However, if the other person initiates the salam, he returns it, and if he extends his hand, he shakes it. The one who initiates the greeting is the one who starts.
The questioner:
And regarding the Companions kissing [heads], what is your opinion? In the time of 'Umar, what is that attributed to?
The Shaykh:
It was 'Abdullah ibn Hazafah.
The questioner:
When 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) ordered the Companions to kiss his head.
The Shaykh:
That was for an important matter in the interest of the Muslims, namely the release of prisoners. If it is for the interest of the Muslims, there is no objection to kissing his head, and there is no harm. But for the sake of pleasing him personally, there is no harm.
The questioner:
No, no, he will commit to it, and his situation will be rectified.
The Shaykh:
If it is for the interest of the Muslims, there is no objection. He initiates the salam and kisses his head if it is for the release of prisoners, or the opening of a village for the Muslims, or repelling harm from the Muslims. This is a simple matter with no objection. He kisses his head and then shakes his hand.
The questioner:
But to reconcile his heart personally, just to reconcile him. No, no, no.
The Shaykh:
No, but if it is for the interest of the Muslims, there is no objection.
Source
التعليق على رياض الصالحين، تابع باب فضل الحب في الله والحث عليه : الأحاديث : [ 383 - 386 ] — islamhouse.com (8:59)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.