◈ 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 ✿
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.
✔ 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.
✔ 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.
✔ Arguments against embracing on Eid:
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.
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.
✔ On Eid, it is Sunnah to:
✔ 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.
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.
✿ 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.
