Hadith>Articles>Regarding Shaking Hands

ترجمۂ کنزالایمان: اللہ کے نام سے شروع جو نہایت مہربان رحم والا

Translation: Allah in the name of the most Affectionate the Merciful

Du’a for Reading the Book or Islamic Lesson

Read the following Du’a (supplication) before studying a religious book or Islamic lesson , you will remember whatever you study.

Translation:Ya Allah! Open the portal of knowledge and wisdom for us, and have mercy on us! O the one who is the most honourable and glorious! (Al-Mustaraf, vol. 1, pp. 40)

Note: Recite Durud Sharif once before and after the Du’a.

ترجمۂ کنزالایمان:اور اگر جب وہ اپنی جانوں پر ظلم کریں تو اے محبوب تمہارے حضور حاضر ہوں اور پھر اللہ سے معافی چاہیں اور رسول ان کی شفاعت فرمائے تو ضرور اللہ کو بہت توبہ قبول کرنے والا مہربان پائیں۔

                                                                                                      

Translation of Kanzul Iman:And if when they do justice unto their souls, then O beloved! They should come to you and then beg forgiveness of Allah and the messenger should intercede for them then surely, they would find Allah Most Relenting, Merciful (4:64)

Excellence of Durud Shareef

The Noble Rasool صلی اللہ تعالی علیہ وسلم has stated, ‘Whoever recites Salat upon me one time, Allah عزوجل sends ten mercies upon him.’ (Sahih Muslim, pp. 166, vol. 1)

Regarding Shaking Hands, Embracing, Kissing And To Remain Standing

Hadith 1: Imam Ahmed, Tirmizi and Ibn Majah have reported from Bara’ ibn Aazib رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Nabi-e-Kareem صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘When two Muslims meet and make ‘Musafaha’ (shake hands) with one another, then even before they part, they are pardoned.’ It is in the narration of Abu Dawud that when two Muslims meet and shake hands and Praise Allah and seek forgiveness, then both shall be pardoned.

Hadith 2: Baihaqi reported in Sha’bul Imaan from Bara’ ibn Aazib رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘That person who performs four Rakaats (Namaaz-e-Chasht) before mid-day, it is as if he has prayed it in Shab’b-e-Qadr and when two Muslims shake hands (with one another), then no sin is left (between them), but all of it is shed.’

Hadith 3: It is in Sahih Bukhari from Qatadah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ. He says that he asked Anas رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ whether the practice of shaking hands was a common practice among the Companions of Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  and he said ‘Yes’.

Hadith 4: Imam Maalik رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ reported from Ataa Khurasani that Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘Shake hands with one another. The malice of the heart will fade away and share gifts with one another, as this will create love and remove animosity.’

Hadith 5: Imam Ahmed reported from Anas رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘When two Muslims meet and when one has held the hand of the other (i.e. shakes hands) then it is upon Allah as it is His Right, that their dua should be presented and even before their hands part, they shall (both) be forgiven. For those who gather together in the Zikr (remembrance) of Allah, and they have no other objective but to gain the pleasure of Allah, then a caller calls out from the skies (saying), ‘Stand up, for you have been pardoned (and) your sins have been substituted with good deeds’.’

Hadith 6: Tabrani reported from Salman رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘When a Muslim meets with his Muslim brother and holds his hand (shakes hands), then both their sins fall off, just as the dry leaves of a tree fall off during a strong wind, and their sins are forgiven, even though it may be equal to the foam on the sea’.

Hadith 7: Ibn Al Najaar reported from Ibn Umar رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہما that Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘The Muslim who shakes the hand of his brother and if none of their hearts bear any animosity to one another, then even before their hands part, Allah will pardon all their past sins. That person who looks towards his Muslims brother with affection (and) there is no animosity in his heart or chest, then even before he removes his sight, the past sins of both are forgiven’.

Hadith 8: Imam Ahmed and Tirmizi have reported from Abu Umaama رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘the proper manner of visiting (or comforting) a sick person is to keep your hand on his forehead or on his hand, and ask how he is feeling. The complete greeting is to make Musafaha (shake hands)’.

Hadith 9: Tirmizi reported from Anas رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that a person said, ‘Ya Rasool’Allah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم ! When a person meets a brother or friend, should he bow to him?’ He  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم replied, ‘No’. He (then) asked whether he should embrace him and kiss him. He صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘No’. He (then) asked, whether he should hold and shake his hand, (and) the Prophet صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘Yes’.

Hadith 10: Abu Dawud reported that a person asked Abu Zir رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ ‘Would Huzoor  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم shake your hands when you would meet with him?’ He said, ‘Whenever, I would meet with him, Huzoor صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  would shake my hands. Once Huzoor  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم sent someone to my home and I was not present there. On my return I was informed of this. I presented myself (before him صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم ). At that moment, Huzoor صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  was on his sacred wooden bench. He embraced me, and this felt very good! It felt very good (indeed)!’

Hadith 11: It is in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Hurairah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ. He says that he accompanied Huzoor صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم to the home of Hazrat Faatima رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہا Huzoor صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  asked if Hazrat Hassan رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ was there. After a little while, he came in running, and Huzoor-e-Akram  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم embraced him and he embraced Rasoolullah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم as well. He  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم then said, ‘O Allah! I love him dearly. You too love him and love whosoever loves him’.

Hadith 12: Imam Ahmed reported from Ya’la رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Hazrat Hassan and Hussain رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہما came in running to Rasoolullah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم. Huzoor  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم embraced them tightly and said, ‘(your) children are the cause of greed and weakness’.

Hadith 13: Tirmizi reported on the authority of Ummul Momineen A’isha رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہا that Zaid bin Harithah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ came to the Prophet of Allah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم whilst he was at my home. Hazrat Zaid رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ knocked at the door. The Prophet  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم rose to receive him without any mantle covering him (upper garment), trailing his garment. ‘By Allah! Never before had I seen the Prophet صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  go towards anyone without the covering of his mantle and never have I seen this thereafter. He  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم embraced and kissed him’.

Hadith 14: Abu Dawud reported from Usaid bin Huzair رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ regarding an Ansari who was humorous in nature. He was having a conversation with the people, causing them to laugh. The Holy Prophet  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم poked his side with a stick. He asked the Prophet  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم for remuneration for this action. The Prophet  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم asked him to claim his remuneration. He said that the Holy Prophet  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم was wearing a Qamees (Kurta) whereas he was not wearing a Qamees on his body. The Prophet صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  removed his Qamees. He (immediately) embraced the Prophet  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم and kissed the side of the Prophet  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم and then said, ‘This was my real intention’ (i.e. I had no intention of taking remuneration).

Hadith 15: Abu Dawud and Baihaqi have reported a mursal narration from Aamir Sha’bi that Nabi-e-Kareem  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم welcomed Ja’far ibn Abi Taalib رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ and he made Muaniqa with him (i.e. he embraced him), and he kissed him between both his eyes.

Hadith 16: Abu Dawud reported from Abu Zaar’i رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ when the delegation of the Abdul Qais tribe visited Prophet صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  he too was present in this delegation. He says, ‘Upon arriving in Madinah, we would swiftly go before the Prophet  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم from our posts, and kiss the hands and feet of the Prophet ’ صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم.

Hadith 17: It is in Abu Dawud on the authority of Ummul Momineen A’isha رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہا that whenever Hazrat Sayeda Faatima رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہا presented herself before the Holy Prophet  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم, Huzoor-e-Akram صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  would stand up for her. He would hold her hand and kiss her and allow her to sit in his place, and when Huzoor-e-Akram  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم would visit her, she would stand up, hold his blessed hand, kiss it and let him sit in her place.

Hadith 18: Abu Dawud reported from Bara’ رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that when Abu Bakr Siddique رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ initially arrived in Madinah, I went to his house with him. Hazrat A’isha رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہا was resting due to a fever. Hazrat Abu Bakr رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ went to her and asked, ‘My daughter! How are you?’ and he then kissed her on her cheek.

Hadith 19: Tirmizi reported from Safwan bin `Assal رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that two Jews came to the Prophet صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  and asked him about the clear signs. The Prophet  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘1. Do not associate any partner with Allah. 2. Do not steal. 3. Do not commit adultery. 4. Do not unjustly take a life which Allah has forbidden you to. 5. Do not take him who is free from offence, to a King, so that he may be killed. 6. Do not commit black magic. 7. Do not consume usury (interest). 8. Accuse not the chaste of adultery. 9. Do not turn on your heels (in cowardice) during battle, and you Jews should not exceed your limitations regarding the Saturday’. After the Prophet  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم mentioned this, they kissed his hands and feet.

Hadith 20: Abu Dawud reported on the authority of Abdullah bin Umar رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہما He says that they went close to the Beloved Prophet صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم and kissed his hands.

Hadith 21: It is in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Abu Sa’eed Khudri رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that when Bani Quraiza emerged from their fortress on the command of Sa’ad bin Mu’az رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ Huzoor  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم sent someone to summon Sa’ad رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ and he was not far away from there. When he came close to the Musjid, Huzoor  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said to the Ansaar ‘Stand up and go towards your leader’.

Hadith 22: Baihaqi reported in Sha’bul Imaan from Abu Hurairah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ. He says that the Prophet صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  was sitting amongst them, having a discussion in the Musjid. When Huzoor  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم would rise, we too would stand up and we would remain standing for as long as we were able to see the Prophet  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم entering the home of one of his blessed wives.

Hadith 23: Tirmizi and Abu Dawud report on the authority of Mu’awiyah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘That person who wishes for people to remain standing in his respect, should make the fire of hell his abode.’

Hadith 24: Abu Dawud reported from Abu Umaama رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that the Prophet صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  emerged leaning on an Asaa (Staff). We stood up for the Holy Prophet  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم. He gestured that we should not stand in the manner in which the westerners stand, whereby some of them stand in respect of others.

In other words, the manner in which the westerners stand up for one another is contemptible and blameworthy. To stand in this manner whereby the wealthy remain seated and others stand close to them as a show of respect for them is disallowed. The other case where it is not permissible to stand for someone is when he desires that people should stand for his respect, and if no one stands to respect him, then he takes offence to this, just as it still a tradition in many parts of India even today, where the employees (or subjects) of the wealthy, leaders and landlords stand up for them and if they do not stand, then in some instances, they are firmly reprimanded for this. The Hadith of Mu’awiyah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ is a warning for such arrogant autocrats. If a person stands up in respect and is not doing so under any compulsion but merely because he regards the person to whom he is affording respect, to be deserving of such respect and he is standing up in order to attain reward for this, or if stands up in humility for someone, then this is not regarded as being impermissible, but it is Mustahab (desirable).

Ya Allah عزوجل of Mustafa  صلی اللہ تعالی علیہ وسلم! We make sincere Dua that  blesses us all with strength in Imaan and true love for the Holy Prophet  صلی اللہ تعالی علیہ وسلمand for all those who follow that which has been taught and commanded by Him. Amin! (Source: Extracted from Bahaar-e-Shariat Volume 16)

Courtesy: Imam Mustafa Raza Research Center

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