Question
What is the ruling on greeting with only a hand gesture in light of the Hadith in Tirmidhi?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
The narration in Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhi regarding opposing the Jews and Christians in their way of greeting — some with one finger and others with a palm gesture — is weak (ḍaʿīf) due to the presence of Ibn Lahiʿah in its chain.
✔ Correct way of greeting (Salām):
- The proper Sunnah is to say Salām with the tongue.
- Along with verbal Salām, it is permissible to also gesture with the hand.
- However, to only raise the hand or make a gesture without uttering the words of Salām is not correct.
For more detail, refer to: Tuḥfat al-Aḥwadhī, vol. 3, p. 386.
Conclusion:- Greeting must be done verbally.
- Hand gesture can accompany the words, but gesture alone is not sufficient.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
