Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalam o alaikum brother

 

Pease Answer some more question .

Jazzak Allah and thank you very much for your cooperation and your vaulable time.

Thanks.

 

2)can we touch feets of our parents or elders for seeking blessing  or to show respect to them thus it allow in islam.

 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

 

Answer:

 

Touch feet of elders respect

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Your Question: …can we touch feets of our parents or elders for seeking blessing  or to show respect to them thus it allow in islam.

Touching another’s feet out of reverence or respect is a pagan (Hindu, Buddhist, etc) rite; thus this and all such pagan rites and rituals, which are not specifically endorsed by the Messenger of Allah (saws) are absolutely forbidden in Islam. 

 

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4020  Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘He who copies any people is one of them!’

 

Allah is our witness, there is no better example of one’s love, adoration, reverence, and respect for another human being than the love the noble companions had for the Messenger of Allah (saws); but never ever did they touch his feet as a sign of their respect!  They would humbly greet him with a respectful salutation, shake his hand, lower their voice when in his presence, and obediently wait unto him to fulfill his each and every command and guidance.

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.14 Narrated by Anas

The Prophet (saws) said "None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all of mankind (combined)."

 

Such was the love and respect of the noble companions for the Prophet (saws), that whenever he (saws) addressed any one of them, their reply was never ‘yes’ or ‘yeah-what’….but they would immediately utter in humility: ‘…May my mother and my father be your ransom or sacrifice, O Messenger of Allah (saws)!....’. 

 

But never ever did even these noble companions of the Prophet (saws) ever touch his feet as a sign of respect of reverence; nor did the Messenger of Allah (saws) ever allow or endorse such a practice!

 

Respect is not displayed by one’s touching of another’s feet; but one’s respect and adoration for an elder should be displayed by saying a kind word of salutation, being absolutely mindful and obedient to their every lawful wish and command, and being absolutely kind, humble, tender, just and merciful towards them in all their matters….that is the guidance of Islam.

 

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Bani Israel verses 23-24:

Your Lord has enjoined the following: You should not worship anyone but Him Alone!  Treat your parents with great kindness;  if either or both of them attain old age, do not even say ‘uff’ to them;  nor rebuke them;  but speak to them kind words.  Treat them with humility and tenderness and pray, “O our Lord,  be merciful to them, just as they brought me up with kindness and affection in my childhood.”

 

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4925  Narrated byAbdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘Those who do not show mercy to our young ones, and do not realize the right of our elders are not from us!’

 

The absolute best way for a believer to meet his believing brethren would be to declare a salutation and supplication of peace upon them, and shake their hand; and if one is an elder, one should show respect and reverence to them with ones attentive character, kind words, subdued voice, and obedience to what is just. 

 

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 5193  Narrated by Al-Bara' ibn Azib

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘Two Muslims will not meet and shake hands, but their sins will be forgiven (by Allah) before they separate!’

 

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 5195  Narrated by Abu Dharr

Ayyub ibn Bushayr ibn Ka'b al-Adawi quoted a man of Anazah who said that he asked Abu Dharr al-Ghaffari (r.a.): ‘Did the Messenger of Allah (saws) shake hands with you when you met him?’  He (r.a.) replied: ‘I never met him (saws), without his shaking hands with me!’ 

 

The bowing or touching or kissing of the knees or the feet of elders is a pagan practice, not of those who sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day!

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

 

Burhan