Shaking Hands snd Embracing after the Eid Salaah

Q: Salaah-283: It is customary for people to shake hands after the Khutbah and du'aa of the Eid salaah and some also embrace each other. There is however a conflict in this regard because those who do not regard it to be necessary are looked down upon and insulted by those who do. What is the status of embracing in the Shari'ah and was it a practice of Rasulullaah SAW. and the Sahabah RADI. to shake hands and embrace after the Eid salaah? Please reply with references.

Answer: Shaking hands and embracing are Sunnah practices and together With greeting with Salaam, they enjoy the status of an Ibaadah. Ibaadah will how ever be regarded as Ibaadah only when it is carried out in the manner prescribed by the Shari'ah. If not done in this manner, it will earn a person punishment rather than rewards.

The author of Majma'ul Bahrain relates in his commentary that a person once arrived at the place of performing the Eid salaah on in" day of Eid and was about to start performing salaah when Hadhrat Ali RADI. stopped him. "O Ameerul Mu'mineen the man said, "l know well that Allaah will not punish me for performing salaah (why are you then stopping me?)." Hadhrat Ali RADI. replied, "I know well that Allaah will not reward you for something unless Rasulullaah SAW. did it or encouraged it. (Since Rasulullaah SAW. did not perform any salaah before the Eid salaah) I fear that your act will be futile and (when it comes to worship) futile acts are Haraam. I therefore fear that Allaah may even punish you for it.

While the Adhaan is an act of Ibaadah and a hallmark of Islaam and there are actually two Adhaans for the Jumu'ah salaah. There is however no Adhaan for the Eid salaah nor any Iqaamah. Now if anyone calls out the Adhaan and lqaamah for the Eid salaah, everyone will understand that this is an act of Bid'ah. the same will apply to regarding the handshake and embrace to be necessary after the Eid salaah.

Majaalisul Abraar Pg.298 states, "As for (shaking hands on) occasions other than when meeting each other such as is the habit of people to do in our times after the Jumu'ah and Eid salaahs, it must be borne in mind that the Ahadeeth are silent about this matter. The practice therefore has no basis and any act without a basis should be rejected."

Shaami (Vol.5 pg.336) states that the custom of shaking hands after salaah ism Makrooh because the Sahabah RADI. never did so. Another reason for it being Makrooh is that it is a practice of the Rawaafidh. Ibn Hajar Shaafi'ee RAH. says that it is a Bid'ah and Makrooh and has no basis in the Shari'ah. Ibnul Haaj RAH. writes that it is the duty of the Imaam to stop people from shaking hands after the salaahs because it is a Bid'ah and because shaking hands is done when meeting someone and not after salaah. Shifting an act from the position that the Shari'ah had stipulated conflicts with the Sunnah and should therefore be avoided.

The eminent Muhaddith Mulla Ali Qaari Hanafi RAH. says, "The time for shaking hands in the Shari'ah is when meeting. However, we see people meeting without shaking hands and then even engaging in academic discussions. Thereafter, when it is time for salaah, then they shake hands. What Sunnah is this? Many scholars have clearly stated that this is Makrooh and a Bid'ah.

In the light of the above, it is clear that this customary shaking of hands should be avoided. However, it must not be done in a manner that causes enmity and friction between people. Remember the words of Mulla Ali Qaari RAH. when he advised. "Do not retract your hands when a Muslim stretches his to greet you so as not to hurt his heart or cause suspicion. Gradually explain the ruling to him so that he n-ray also be aware of it.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2