The ruling on kissing the hand of a righteous man and bowing to him
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This is Hamad Mas'ud Fadl al-Sayyid from Sudan. He says: What is the ruling on kissing the hand of a righteous man and bowing to him? Is it permissible or not?
Answer: As for kissing the hand, a group of scholars have held it to be disliked, especially if it becomes a habit. However, if one does it occasionally on some occasions, there is no harm in doing so with a righteous man, a righteous prince, a father, or the like; there is no harm in that. But making it a habit is disliked. Some scholars have forbidden it if it is a constant habit upon meeting. As for doing it occasionally, there is no harm in that. As for prostrating to the hand, meaning placing one's forehead on the hand, this prostration is forbidden. Some scholars call it the "minor prostration." This is not permissible. Placing one's forehead on a person's hand in prostration is not allowed. However, kissing it with one's mouth, if it is not a habit but rather rare or infrequent, is permissible. This is because it is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) kissed the hand and foot of some of the Companions, and some of the Companions did so. The matter is easy in this regard if it is infrequent. But making it a constant habit is disliked or forbidden. As for bowing, it is not permissible. Bowing like one in ruku' is not permissible, because ruku' is an act of worship, and one must not bow. However, if the bowing is not for the sake of honoring, but because the person being greeted is short, and the Muslim is tall, so he bows to shake his hand, not for the sake of honoring, but because the person he is greeting is short, or sitting, or seated, there is no harm in that. But bowing to honor him is not permissible, and it is feared that it may be shirk (associating partners with Allah) if one intends to honor him thereby. It is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked:, and although there is weakness in its chain... the hadith is weak in its isnad, but one should act upon it, because many corroborating narrations support its meaning, and the evidence also indicates that bowing and ruku' to people is not permissible.
The conclusion is that bowing is never permissible to any person, not to a king, nor to anyone other than kings. But if the bowing is not for the sake of honoring, but because the person being greeted is short, or sitting, or seated, and he bows to greet him, then there is no harm in that. Yes.
Answer: As for kissing the hand, a group of scholars have held it to be disliked, especially if it becomes a habit. However, if one does it occasionally on some occasions, there is no harm in doing so with a righteous man, a righteous prince, a father, or the like; there is no harm in that. But making it a habit is disliked. Some scholars have forbidden it if it is a constant habit upon meeting. As for doing it occasionally, there is no harm in that. As for prostrating to the hand, meaning placing one's forehead on the hand, this prostration is forbidden. Some scholars call it the "minor prostration." This is not permissible. Placing one's forehead on a person's hand in prostration is not allowed. However, kissing it with one's mouth, if it is not a habit but rather rare or infrequent, is permissible. This is because it is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) kissed the hand and foot of some of the Companions, and some of the Companions did so. The matter is easy in this regard if it is infrequent. But making it a constant habit is disliked or forbidden. As for bowing, it is not permissible. Bowing like one in ruku' is not permissible, because ruku' is an act of worship, and one must not bow. However, if the bowing is not for the sake of honoring, but because the person being greeted is short, and the Muslim is tall, so he bows to shake his hand, not for the sake of honoring, but because the person he is greeting is short, or sitting, or seated, there is no harm in that. But bowing to honor him is not permissible, and it is feared that it may be shirk (associating partners with Allah) if one intends to honor him thereby. It is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked:
O Messenger of Allah! If a man greets me, should I bow to him? He said: No. He said: Should I embrace him and kiss him? He said: No. He said: Should I take his hand and shake it? He said: Yes.
يا رسول الله! ألقى الرجل فهل أنحني له؟ قال: لا، قال: فهل ألتزمه وأقبله؟ قال: لا، قال: فهل آخذ بيده وأصافحه؟ قال: نعمThe conclusion is that bowing is never permissible to any person, not to a king, nor to anyone other than kings. But if the bowing is not for the sake of honoring, but because the person being greeted is short, or sitting, or seated, and he bows to greet him, then there is no harm in that. Yes.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.