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

‘Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s), his blessed descendents and noble companions.’

                                                                      Aameen.

SUNNATS OF GREETING, HANDSHAKE AND EMBRACING

S.1. The Islamic greeting should precede all other speech.

(Tirmidhi - S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 432)

S.2. When Muslims meet they should greet each other with the words:

Assalamu ‘Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu.

“Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you.”

(Abu Dawud - S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 437)

Note: From some weak narration it is understood that it is permissible to add “wa mugferatuh ” to the greeting , although the common practice of our Nabi SAW was not so. (Al Azkaar-S.K.-V o l. 3: Pg. 446)

S.3. The meeting and greeting should be with a smile (pleasant).

(Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 337)

S.4, Nabi SAW said that one cannot win over a persons heart with wealth but he can with a smile and good manners.

(S.K.-Vol. 3 :Pg. 337)

S.5. The person who greets first, without waiting for the other to greet, is the better. (Tirmidhi- S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 436)

S.6. Abundant greeting develops mutual love.

(Muslim - S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 433-434)

Note : Our Nabi SAW encouraged abundance of greeting .

(At-Targhib - S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 434-435)

S.7. Our Nabi SAW said that the one who does not reply to another’s greeting is not one of us. (S.K.-Vol. 3 : Pg. 437-438)

S.8. One should greet every person, i.e. those whom he knows and also those whom he does not know.

(Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 448)

S.9. Our Nabi SAW always tried to be the first to greet.

(S.K. - Vol. 4 : Pg. 352-353)

S.10. The mounted should greet those walking, those who are walking should greet the sitting and the fewer should greet the many. (Bukhari-S.K. - Vol. 3: Pg. 440)

Note: One of the wisdoms in this Sunnah is that it removes ‘class differences’ as due to this guidance the rich some times will be greeting the poor and at other times the poor (will be greeting) the rich.

S.11. That believer who greets twenty individuals or groups on the day of his death will most definitely be blessed with Jannah. (Tabrani-S.K.-Vol.3 :Pg.435)

S.12. To greet again the person from whom one had parted company, even if such parting was for a short while only.

(Abu Dawud - S.K. - Vol. 4 : Pg. 347)

S.13. To greet when entering or leaving the home (whether one’s own house or that of another). (Mishkat -S.K.-Vol.3: Pg.451)

Note: Greeting at the time of entering one’s home is a means of Barakah and blessings in the house. (S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 450)

Note: Such a person is also in the protection of Allah. (S.K -Vol. 1: Pg. 451)

S.14. Allah is a guarantee for that person who greets and then enters his house, i.e. Allah suffices for him during his life, after his death and Jannah shall be his abode. (S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 451)

S.15. Entering one’s home with greeting prevents the Satan from entering. (S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 450)

S.16. It is reported that at night our Nabi SAW greeted so softly that those who were asleep were not disturbed and those who were awake could hear. (Tirmidhi- S.K. - Vol. 4 : Pg. 351)

S.17. When Nabi SAW went to any of his companion’s homes then he greeted at the door (from outside).

(Abu Dawud - S.K. - Vol. 4 : Pg. 347)

S.18. Our Nabi SAW would greet thrice, i.e. if there was no response, thereafter he would leave and not greet for the fourth time to evoke a response. (Bukhari- S.K. - Vol. 4 : Pg. 348)

S.19. One should greet loud enough for the one (for whom the greeting is intended) to hear it. (S.K. - Vol. 4 : Pg. 352)

S.20. Our Nabi SAW sent back a companion who entered without having greeted or having sought permission. (To educate one’s juniors in such a manner is Sunnah)

(Tirmidhi- S.K. - Vol. 4 : Pg. 350)

S.21. Our Nabi SAW has said that that person who seeks permission to enter any home or gathering without having first greeted should be refused permission. (Mishkat -S.K.-Vol.3 : Pg.441)

S.22. To greet children is also a Sunnah. (Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 452)

S.23. The young should greet the elderly. (S.K. -Vol. 3 :Pg. 452)

S.24. The individual should greet the group.

(Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 453)

S.25. When groups of people meet then the greetings and responding by one from each group shall suffice for all.

(S.K.-Vol. 3 : Pg. 453)

S.26. For the Ulama, not to initiate (begin) the greeting with a transgressor (even though he be a Muslim).

(Mishkat - Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 456 & Vol. 4 : Pg. 352)

Note: It should be remembered that the one greeting first is protected from pride, therefore, one should initiate the greeting for other than transgressors.

S.27. Nabi SAW has prohibited greeting by means of signals with the fingers or the hands as these are the styles of the Yahood and Nasaara, respectively. (Tirmidhi- S.K.-Vol. 4 : Pg. 347)

S.28. If a third person’s greetings are conveyed to one then it should be answered in the following manner:

Wa ‘Alaika Wa ‘Alaihis-salam

“Peace be upon you and him.” (Abu Dawud- S.K. - Vol. 3: Pg. 443)

S.29. Not to greet strangers from the opposite sex and if greeted not to respond. (S.K. - Vol. 3: Pg.460)

S.30. Our Nabi SAW said that the perfect way for one to greet is to shake hands. (Tirmidhi-S.K. - Vol. 3: Pg. 463)

S.31. It is Sunnah to kiss the hands of the pious, elderly Aalim (scholar). (Abu Dawud-S.K.-Vol. 4: Pg. 363)

S.32. Whilst shaking hands the following du’aa should be read:

Yaghfirul-laahu Lanaa Wa Lakum

“May Allah forgive us and you.” (Abu Dawud)

S.33. Both hands should be used in handshakes. It is insufficient merely to let one’s fingers touch those of the other. The palms should be firmly grasped. However, such pressure should not be applied (in handshakes) as would cause hurt to the other. (Bukhari-S.K. - Vol. 4 : Pg. 355-356)

S.34. Nabi SAW has said that when two Muslims meet and shake hands then it becomes the duty of Allah SWT to hear their Du’a and to forgive them even before their hands separate. (S.K.-Vol. 3 :Pg. 461)

S.35. Whenever the Sahabah met they greeted and shook hands with each other and on returning from a journey they used to embrace, (each other) (At-Targhib-S.K - Vol. 2: Pg. 238)

S.36. Women should also greet each other by shaking hands. (Baihaqi)

This should be encouraged as Nabi SAW has stated that mutual greetings shall create love and unity.

Note: Males should not greet or shake hands with females. This ruling applies to such females whom one can marry. Hence it is permissible to greet and shake hands with one’s mother, sister, daughter, aunt, granny, wife, etc. However, it is permissible to greet ladies and those who are behind Pardah provided there is no fear of sin and mischief. (S.K. - Vol. 4: Pg. 349)

S.37. Rasulullah SAW’s habit was to wait with the person meeting him till the person departed. (S.K. - Vol. 4: Pg. 449)

S.38. Also, Nabi SAW would not remove his hand from that person who was shaking it until the other removed his and Rasulullah SAW would not turn his face away from anybody. (Tirmidhi- S.K. - Vol. 3: Pg. 465 & Vol. 4: Pg. 222)

S.39. If somebody wished to whisper something to Rasulullah SAW then he would take his ear close to that speaker and he would not remove it until the speaker had completed.

S.40. If Rasulullah SAW wished to call somebody whose name he did not know, he used to call out to him with the words:

Ya lbna ‘Abdillah

“O! the son o f Allah’s slave.” (S.K. - Vol. 4 : Pg. 447)

S.41. Our Nabi SAW said that Allah forgives the sins of those who shake hands even before their hands part. (Tirmidhi- S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 464)

S.42. To shake hands even when departing. (Tirmidhi - S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 465-466)

S.43. Rasulullah SAW has said that by shaking hands Allah removes malice (between people).

(At-Targhib - S.K. - Vol. 3 : Pg. 463)

Note: Allah SWT grants forgiveness after shaking hands upon all of the following being fulfilled:-

(1) Greeting upon meeting.

(2) Shaking hands.

(3) Seeking dua for forgiveness as in S.32.

(4) Praising Allah - this occurs when one responds to the enquiry of the other’s health. (Abu Dawud)

A/N ;)

Well yes I feel like smiling, shaking hands and saying Salaam to each and all. So here you go, Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh ;))))

With Duas,

abdurRahman (Gudi ;))