What is the ruling on embracing and kissing on the face when meeting after a long absence, and this may be with a handsome young boy or a woman who is a mahram (a relative one may not marry)?
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The questioner : May Allah support the honorable Shaykh: Some entrenched customs have spread among Muslims in these times, among them: when one of us meets one of his brothers after a long absence, or perhaps someone he has just recently met, he greets him with a kiss on the face. This is what many of the brothers have become accustomed to now; the greeting is by embracing instead of shaking hands. It may be with a handsome young boy from whom fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) is not safe, and perhaps this greeting by kissing or embracing is with a woman who is a mahram (a relative one may not marry). Do such customs have a basis in the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law)? And does kissing the hand of a scholar or reformer also have a basis? Please give us a ruling, may Allah benefit you with your knowledge and elevate your status.
The Shaykh : There is no basis for embracing or kissing when meeting, except if there is a reason for it, such as the arrival of someone from a journey or the like. We all know that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were the most loving of people toward the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) was the most deserving of people of honor. When they met him, they did not kiss him; they did not kiss his head, nor his hands, nor any part of his body, such as his shoulders, for example. They only shook his hand. In fact, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: This is what is prescribed.
And what the questioner mentioned, that in our time people have taken kissing as a substitute for shaking hands, is true. How many are the people who meet us and take our heads to kiss them, and then they may shake hands or they may not. The Sunnah (the Prophet's way) is to shake hands. As for kissing the head, if it is for a reason, as we mentioned earlier, this is what the Sunnah (the Prophet's way) has brought, such as the arrival of someone who was absent. If it is without a reason, it is among the permissible matters, provided that the one whose head is kissed is worthy of that, because he is a reformer who benefits the Muslims with his wealth or his knowledge. Yes.
The Shaykh : There is no basis for embracing or kissing when meeting, except if there is a reason for it, such as the arrival of someone from a journey or the like. We all know that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were the most loving of people toward the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) was the most deserving of people of honor. When they met him, they did not kiss him; they did not kiss his head, nor his hands, nor any part of his body, such as his shoulders, for example. They only shook his hand. In fact, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
He was asked about a man who meets his brother: should he bow to him? He said: No. They said: Should he embrace him and hold him tight? He said: No. They said: Should he shake his hand? He said: Yes.
سُئل عن الرجل يلقى أخاه أينحني له؟ قال: لا، قالوا: أيعانقه ويلتزمه؟ قال: لا قالوا: أيصافحه؟ قال: نعمAnd what the questioner mentioned, that in our time people have taken kissing as a substitute for shaking hands, is true. How many are the people who meet us and take our heads to kiss them, and then they may shake hands or they may not. The Sunnah (the Prophet's way) is to shake hands. As for kissing the head, if it is for a reason, as we mentioned earlier, this is what the Sunnah (the Prophet's way) has brought, such as the arrival of someone who was absent. If it is without a reason, it is among the permissible matters, provided that the one whose head is kissed is worthy of that, because he is a reformer who benefits the Muslims with his wealth or his knowledge. Yes.