Question
Is it permissible to embrace (hug) on occasions other than returning from a journey?
Answer
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
◈ Embracing (hugging) is an expression of love that a Muslim shows for his brother.
◈ It is a way to express happiness at the time of meeting.
◈ This act is permissible, recommended, and a cause of reward provided the intention is to honor, respect, and love the brother.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said to the person who said that he loves someone:
((هل أخبرته بذالك’فإن لم تكن قدأخبرته به فاذهب وأخبره))
“Have you told him that I love you? If you have not told him yet, then go and tell him.”
Embracing and the ruling of Shariah
◈ Embracing is the best means of expressing love.
◈ It is in an authentic hadith:
((ذرونى ماتركتكم’مانهيتكم عنه فاجتنبوه وماأمرتكم به فأتومنه مااستطعتم’أوكماقال صلى الله عليه وسلم))
“Leave me as long as I leave you, restrain yourself from whom I restrain you, and obey what I command you to the best of your ability.”
◈ Shariah has not prohibited hugging, nor has it imposed any strictness; therefore, it is permissible under the principle of original permissibility.
Hadith of Abu Tha’laba Al-Khashani, may Allah be pleased with him
Imam Darqutni, Abu Nu’aym (Al-Hilya), Imam Bayhaqi (Sunan al-Kubra), and Tabarani (Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
((إن الله تعالى فرض فرائض فلاتضيعوها وحدحدودا فلاتعتدوها حرم أشياء فلاتنتهكوها وسكت عن أشياء رحمة لكم غير نسيان فلاتبحثوا عنها))
“Indeed, Allah the Exalted has ordained obligations; do not neglect them. Do not violate the limits He has set. Do not break what He has forbidden. And concerning what He has not legislated a ruling, He has remained silent; this is Allah’s mercy, not a mistake. Do not dispute about them.”
◈ From this, it is understood that silence means that the matter is permissible and even recommended, especially if the intention is based on sincerity.
Occasions for Hugging
◈ There are many reports about hugging upon return from travel.
◈ Such reports are fewer regarding a resident, but the underlying cause—love and happiness—is the same in both.
contains a hadith:
((أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم أرسل إلى أبى ذر وكان خارجا من البيت فلما جاء أخبر برسالة النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم’قال ابوذرفلما جئت التزمنى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم))
“The Prophet ﷺ sent a message to Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه. He was outside the house. When he came, he was informed. Then Abu Dharr says: When I came to the Prophet ﷺ, he embraced me closely.”
◈ Although there is some weakness in the narration due to the ambiguity of one narrator, this is a minor weakness which is removed by other evidences.
Narration of Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه
narrate:
◈ A person asked: O Messenger of Allah! When we meet our brother or friend, can we bow to him? He said: “No.”
◈ Asked: Can we embrace and kiss him? He said: “No.”
◈ Asked: Can we shake hands? He said: “Yes.”
◈ This narration is weak due to the weakness of Hanzalah bin Abdullah Al-Sadusi.
◈ Even if it is assumed authentic, it would be understood as not embracing a resident, because embracing a traveler is proven with an authentic chain.
◈ Imam Tirmidhi called it Hasan (good), but his leniency is well-known.
Explanation about bowing
◈ The weakness of this hadith does not mean that bowing is permissible.
◈ It is clear from other evidences that bowing to anyone other than Allah is forbidden, because it resembles bowing and prostration, which are only permissible for Allah.
Hadith of Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) (Musnad Ahmad, Bayhaqi)
Abu al-Qasim, may Allah forgive him, said that it is narrated with a sound chain:
((أن رجلا من أهل البادية كان إسمه زاهربن حراء قال: وكان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يحبه وكان ذميما فأته النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يوما وهو يبيع متاعه فاحتضنه من خلفه وهو لا ينظر……))
“A villager named Zahir bin Hira was loved by the Prophet ﷺ. He was poor. One day, while he was selling goods in the market, the Prophet ﷺ came from behind and embraced him. He did not recognize him and asked: Who is this? Then when he saw it was the Prophet ﷺ, he pressed his back against his chest. The Prophet ﷺ said: Who will buy this servant? Zahir said: O Messenger of Allah! I am so insignificant that no one would even put a price on me. The Prophet ﷺ said: But you are very valuable in the sight of Allah.”
◈ This proves that the Prophet ﷺ embraced a resident companion as well.
Narration from Sahih Bukhari
◈ It is mentioned in
that the Prophet ﷺ embraced Abdullah ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه and prayed:
((اللهم علمه الكتاب))
“O Allah! Grant him knowledge of the Quran.”
Summary
◈ Embracing is not limited to returning from a journey.
◈ It is an expression of love and respect, which is permissible, recommended, and rewarding in Shariah.
◈ However, bowing or prostrating in a manner resembling worship directed to anyone other than Allah is not permissible.
