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:

In one of the question, "Can one prostrate to Parents?", you answered that one cannot prostrate - do sajdah to parents. But can one touch the feet of parents and elders as done in Hindu religion to seek blessigns without doing actual sajdah?

(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 parents 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.

Dear and Beloved brother in Islam, touching another’s feet out of reverence or respect is a pagan Hindu 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), then 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 or reverence; nor did the Messenger of Allah (saws) ever allow or endorse such a practice!

Beloved brother, 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 with 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.”

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 4941 Narrated by Abu Umamah

A man said, "O Messenger of Allah (saws), what rights can parents demand from their children?" He (saws) replied, "They are (or your relation with them will determine) your Paradise or your Hell."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.18 Narrated by Aisha

The Prophet (saws) said: "The word 'Ar-Rahm' (womb) derives its name from 'Ar-Rahman' (i.e. Allah). So whosoever keeps good relations with it (womb i.e. kith and kin), Allah will keep good relations with him, and whosoever will sever it (i.e. severs his bonds of kith and kin) Allah too will sever His relations with him!"

Sahih Muslim Hadith 6189 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Allah's Messenger (saws) said: ‘Let him be humbled into dust! Let him be humbled into dust!’ It was said: ‘O Allah's Messenger (saws), who is he?’ He (saws) said: ‘He who sees either of his parents during their old age or he sees both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (through his deeds of service towards them)!’

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 5120 Narrated by Mu'awiyah ibn Hayadah

I asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah(saws)! To whom should I show kindness most?’ He (saws) replied: ‘Your mother.’ I asked (again): ‘Who next?’. He (saws) replied: ‘Your mother!’. I asked: ‘Who next?’ He (saws) replied: ‘Your mother!’ I asked again: ‘Who next?’ and he (saws) replied: ‘Your father, and then your relatives in order of relationship.’

The absolute best way for a believer to meet his believing brethren would be to declare a salutation and supplication of peace, and shake their hand.

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!’

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

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