What is the ruling on saying to a person who enters, if one does not stand up for him, “May Allah honor your standing,” as an apology for not standing?

The questioner : After the brother’s permission, this is a specific issue regarding the greeting of peace.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : That is, when someone enters and you greet him while you are sitting, you say, “May Allah honor your standing,” or something like that. I don’t know if that is correct?

The Shaykh : “May Allah honor your standing”?

The questioner : Yes, exactly.

The Shaykh : And what does that mean?

The questioner : It is widespread among us, I mean.

The Shaykh : I mean, you are not standing up for me?

The questioner : “May Allah honor your standing” if you did not stand up for me, I mean.

The Shaykh : Ah, this is the one who stood up for the person entering?

The questioner : Yes, exactly.

The Shaykh : There is nothing wrong with it at all. It means you are praying for him, implying that you stood up to honor and respect me, so may Allah honor your standing. There is nothing wrong with it.

The questioner : No, he is sitting. He is sitting and apologizing for not standing?

The Shaykh : Any apology is fine. There is nothing wrong with it.