◈ Ruling on Embracing (Mu‘anaqah) After Eid Prayer: An Analysis in Light of Qur’an, Hadith, and Practice of the Companions ◈
✿ Written by: Abu al-Asqa‘ Qari Usama bin Abd al-Salam ✿
❶ Evidence from the Qur’an
Allah the Exalted says:
﴿وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَسِيبًا﴾
(Surah al-Nisa: 86)
Translation: “And when you are greeted with a greeting, respond with one better than it or return it in like manner. Surely, Allah takes account of everything.”
✅ This verse encourages greetings and expressions of goodwill, but does not mention embracing (mu‘anaqah) specifically.
❷ Evidence from Hadith
✔ Habitual practice of the Prophet ﷺ:
The general practice of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions was to shake hands (musafahah) upon meeting, not to embrace (mu‘anaqah) — particularly on Eid.
🔹 Narrated by Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه:
“كان أصحاب النبي ﷺ إذا تلاقوا تصافحوا، وإذا قدموا من سفر تعانقوا.”
(Al-Mu‘jam al-Awsat by Tabarani: 6247, Sahih)
Translation: “The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ would shake hands when they met, and when returning from a journey, they would embrace one another.”
✅ This shows that embracing was reserved for specific contexts like returning from travel — not daily meetings or Eid greetings.
✔ Further Hadith Evidence:
🔹 Jarir ibn Abdullah al-Bajali رضي الله عنه said:
“بايعت النبي ﷺ فاشترط عليّ النصح لكل مسلم، فكنت إذا لقيت مسلماً صافحته وأخذت بيده، فوجدت برد كفه.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 2560)
Translation: “I pledged allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ, and he required that I be sincere to every Muslim. So when I met a Muslim, I would shake hands and hold his hand, feeling its warmth.”
✅ Again, handshaking is emphasized, not embracing.
❸ Practice of the Companions on Eid Day
✔ Congratulating one another on Eid:
🔹 Jubayr ibn Nufayr رحمه الله said:
“كان أصحاب النبي ﷺ إذا التقوا يوم العيد يقول بعضهم لبعض: تقبل الله منا ومنك.”
(Fath al-Bari by Ibn Hajar: 2/446, Hasan)
Translation: “The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, when they met on Eid day, would say to one another: ‘May Allah accept from us and from you.'”
✅ This confirms that the Sunnah greeting on Eid is saying:
“تقبل الله منا ومنكم“
✅ However, no authentic narration exists showing that the Companions embraced each other on Eid.
❹ Scholarly Perspective on Embracing
✔ Arguments against embracing on Eid:
- Mu‘anaqah is a specific practice, only established in certain situations, such as after travel.
- There is no proof from the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions that they embraced on Eid.
- If a practice is not proven from the Sunnah and it is believed to be religiously required, it becomes a bid‘ah (innovation).
✅ These points are valid. However, if the embrace is not considered a religious obligation, and is done out of cultural affection or joy, it is not necessarily an innovation.
✔ View of scholars who permit embracing on Eid:
🔹 Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمه الله was asked about this and said:
“لا بأس بالمعانقة إذا لم تكن على وجه التدين.”
(Masa’il al-Imam Ahmad: 2004)
Translation: “There is no harm in embracing, provided it is not done as a religious act.”
✅ This indicates that embracing is not prohibited, as long as it is not treated as an act of worship.
✅ Conclusion
❌ There is no explicit command in the Qur’an or authentic Hadith proving that embracing after Eid is a Sunnah.
✅ Shaking hands (musafahah) and saying “تقبل الله منا ومنكم“ is the established Sunnah.
❌ Embracing (mu‘anaqah) is only proven in specific contexts, such as after travel.
⚠ If done for cultural joy and not as a religious obligation, embracing is considered permissible by some scholars.
❌ It is not appropriate to criticize someone who does not embrace, since it is not established in the Sunnah.
🟢 Best Practice
✔ On Eid, it is Sunnah to:
- Shake hands (musafahah)
- Say “تقبل الله منا ومنكم“
✔ If someone embraces out of happiness, it is not to be condemned, provided they do not consider it a Sunnah or obligation.
✔ Those who choose not to embrace should not be criticized, as this aligns more closely with the authentic Sunnah.
✅ Summary
✅ Sunnah: Saying “تقبل الله منا ومنكم“ and shaking hands.
❌ Not Sunnah: Treating Eid-day embracing as a religious practice.
⚠ Permissible: Embracing out of affection and cultural joy, without viewing it as obligatory.
