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:

Assalamualaikum,
There`s been a great speculation amongst my family, everyone I know and even my friends regarding touching your elders feet as a form of respect. Is it allowed in Islam to touch your elders feet as a form of respect or is it forbidden? We have been doing it for many years and now this new law has come out that it is not allowed. Please teach me the truth on this so I can inform my family and friends too.
Thank you. 

(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

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 no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) 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: Is it allowed in Islam to touch your elders feet as a form of respect or is it forbidden?

Bowing or the touching of the feet of one’s elders as a sign of respect is more of a hindu and pagan culture rather than from the teachings of Islam, thus the believers must abstain from it. If one wishes to show respect to one’s elders or loved ones, Islam dictates that one should supplicate the peace and blessings of Allah upon them and if they wish they may kiss the forehead or the back of their hand.

It has been reported in several authentic traditions of the Messenger of Allah (saws) that his beloved daughter Fatimah binte Mohammed (r.a.) would kiss the forehead and the hand of the Messenger of Allah (saws) when he (saws) would visit her, and he (saws) would do likewise.

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

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan