Question:

Is there anything wrong with kissing the hands of an elder when greeting them? [Question Published as Received]

The Fatwa

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

The Answer

It is permissible to greet an elder with a kiss on the hand, forehead, or cheek, out of respect and/or love as long as the gesture is devoid of any lustful intentions.

The Fiqh of The Answer

In the comprehensive framework of Sharī’ah, detailed guidelines encompass all aspects of life, reflecting a holistic approach to moral, ethical, and social conduct. For instance, in matters of names

‘Allāmah ‘Aynī (d.855 AH) in his celebrated commentary on the Hidāyah closing a nuanced discussion on the matter states that “it is understood from the entirety of what we have mentioned (divine sources), that the kissing of the hand, the head, and the side is permissible as is known from the aforementioned Ahādīth, namely the Hadith of Abdullah bin J’afar, which al-Bayhaqī (d.458 AH) has narrated in ‘Shu’ab al-Īmān’. However, he states that this is permissible when done in the  spirit of compassion and honour. He cautions, though, that if such acts are driven by lust, they are not permissible except between spouses. This viewpoint has also been corroborated by Ibn ‘Ābidīn (d.1252 AH) and others.

Imām ‘Alā’ al-Dīn Haṣkafī (d.1088 AH), by way of annotation and insight, quotes that kissing is of five types:

1. Affectionate Kiss: Directed towards a child, this kiss is placed gently on the cheek, symbolizing affection.
2. Merciful Kiss: This form of kiss is bestowed upon one’s parents, gracing the head, as a gesture of mercy and reverence.
3. Compassionate Kiss: Aimed at expressing empathy and closeness, this kiss is given to a brother/companion on the forehead.
4. Desirous Kiss: Reflecting romantic and marital love, this kiss is shared with one’s wife and, as per cultural context.
5. Greeting Kiss: Serving as a form of respectful greeting, this kiss is given to fellow believers, traditionally on the hand.

He also notes that additional forms of kisses linked to religious practices have been identified, such as the act of kissing the Black Stone (al-Ḥajr al-Aswad). Furthermore, he personally references the practice of kissing the Musḥaf (Qur’an) and cites narrations concerning ‘Umar and ‘Uthmān (رضي الله عنهما)  who engaged in this practice.

In conclusion, as mentioned above, it is permissible to kiss an elder in greeting, provided that the action is devoid of any lustful intent. It is advisable, however, to adhere to the framework outlined above, respecting the relational contexts each type of kiss represents. Moreover, Mufti Radhā’ al-Ḥaq emphasises that in situations where there is uncertainty regarding the appropriateness on one’s own part, abstinence must be exercised. This guidance ensures the safety and respect of all parties.

And Almighty Allah Alone Knows Best 

Maulana Ammar Y Badat
Trainee Mufti

Reviewed and approved by
Mufti Faraz Adam
Darul Iftaa Muadh ibn Jabal
www.darulfiqh.com 

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(قَوْلُهُ وَأَمَّا عَلَى وَجْهِ الْبِرِّ فَجَائِزٌ عِنْدَ الْكُلِّ) قَالَ الْإِمَامُ الْعَيْنِيُّ بَعْدَ كَلَامٍ فَعُلِمَ إبَاحَةُ تَقْبِيلِ الْيَدِ وَالرِّجْلِ وَالرَّأْسِ وَالْكَشْحِ كَمَا عُلِمَ مِنْ الْأَحَادِيثِ الْمُتَقَدِّمَةِ إبَاحَتُهَا عَلَى الْجَبْهَةِ، وَبَيْنَ الْعَيْنَيْنِ وَعَلَى الشَّفَتَيْنِ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْمَبَرَّةِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ اهـ وَيَأْتِي قَرِيبًا تَمَامُ الْكَلَامِ عَلَى التَّقْبِيلِ وَالْقِيَامِ. (حاشية ابن عابدين)

فعلم من مجموع ما ذكرنا إباحة قبلة اليد والرجل والرأس والكشح، كما علم من الأحاديث المتقدمة إباحتها من الجبهة المتقدمة وبين العينين وعلى الشفتين، كما علم من حديث عبد الله بن جعفر الذي أخرجه البيهقي في ” شعب الإيمان “. وقد ذكرناه عن قريب في جملة أحاديث التقبيل ولكن كل ذلك إذا كان على وجه المبرة والإكرام، وأما إذا كان على وجه الشهوة لا يجوز إلا في حق الزوجين. (البناية شرح الهداية)

[فَائِدَةٌ] قِيلَ التَّقْبِيلُ عَلَى خَمْسَةِ أَوْجُهٍ: قُبْلَةُ الْمَوَدَّةِ لِلْوَلَدِ عَلَى الْخَدِّ، وَقُبْلَةُ الرَّحْمَةِ لِوَالِدَيْهِ عَلَى الرَّأْسِ، وَقُبْلَةُ الشَّفَقَةِ لِأَخِيهِ عَلَى الْجَبْهَةِ وَقُبْلَةُ الشَّهْوَةِ لِامْرَأَتِهِ وَأَمَتِهِ عَلَى الْفَمِ وَقُبْلَةُ التَّحِيَّةِ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَى الْيَدِ وَزَادَ بَعْضُهُمْ، قُبْلَةُ الدِّيَانَةِ لِلْحَجَرِ الْأَسْوَدِ جَوْهَرَةٌ. قُلْت: وَتَقَدَّمَ فِي الْحَجِّ تَقْبِيلُ عَتَبَةَ الْكَعْبَةِ، وَفِي الْقُنْيَةِ فِي بَابِ مَا يَتَعَلَّقُ بِالْمَقَابِرِ تَقْبِيلُ الْمُصْحَفِ قِيلَ بِدْعَةٌ لَكِنْ رُوِيَ عَنْ عُمَرَ – رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ – أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَأْخُذُ الْمُصْحَفَ كُلَّ غَدَاةٍ وَيُقَبِّلُهُ وَيَقُولُ: عَهْدُ رَبِّي وَمَنْشُورُ رَبِّي عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَكَانَ عُثْمَانُ – رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ – يُقَبِّلُ الْمُصْحَفَ وَيَمْسَحُهُ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ، وَأَمَّا تَقْبِيلُ الْخُبْزِ فَحَرَّرَ الشَّافِعِيَّةُ أَنَّهُ بِدْعَةٌ مُبَاحَةٌ وَقِيلَ حَسَنَةٌ وَقَالُوا يُكْرَهُ دَوْسُهُ لَا بَوْسُهُ ذَكَرَهُ ابْنُ قَاسِمٍ فِي حَاشِيَتِهِ عَلَى شَرْحِ الْمِنْهَاجِ لِابْنِ حَجَرٍ فِي بَحْثِ الْوَلِيمَةِ وَقَوَاعِدُنَا لَا تَأْبَاهُ وَجَاءَ «لَا تَقْطَعُوا الْخُبْزَ بِالسِّكِّينِ وَأَكْرِمُوهُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ أَكْرَمَهُ» (الدر المختار)

مصافحہ و معانقہ کے وقت رخسار یا پیشانی پر بوسہ دینے کی اجازت ہے جب کہ فتنہ کا اندیشہ نہ ہو، ورنہ بوقت فتنہ ترک کرنا چاہئے۔ اسی طرح اپنی اولاد کو بوسہ دینا بھی جائز اور درست ہے۔ (فتاوى دار العلوم زكريا)