Fatwa ID: 08564
Written by Alimah Saleha Bukhari Islam
Question:
There’s a certain practice I’ve seen for a while and It recently occurred to me whether this is an innovation or not. Basically after someone touches certain objects with their feet, it is probably as if they’re required to give Salam to it. This is done by using your ( I think ) right hand to first touch the object, then placing the hand on your chest, and at last on your mouth ( all probably or a brief moment. )
For example: Giving salam to the Mus-haf, some kind of Islam related book, piece of paper, book or I guess anything in which there’s something written on it, a pen because it’s used for writing etc. Is this permissible or just an innovation?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
The practice you mention is intended as a sign of respect. While respecting Islamic items is important, introducing specific gestures such as touching an item and then placing the hand on the chest or mouth has no basis in the Sunnah and would be considered an innovation (bidah) if adopted as a prescribed practice. It is best to show respect through proper manners and reverence without introducing or formalising such rituals.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever introduces into this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) that which is not from it, it will be rejected.” [1]
[Sahih Al-Bukhari, Sahih Al-Muslim]
Islam teaches respect for sacred items like the Quran and Islamic knowledge, but specific acts of respect must be based on authentic evidence. One such case is the kissing of the Mushaf (Quran) mentioned in a hadith:
On the authority of Ibn Abi Mulaykah, who said: Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl used to take the Qur’an, place it on his face, weep, and say: “The words of my Lord, the Book of my Lord.” [2]
Thus, the kissing of the Mus-haf is permitted on this basis. However, the practice of touching other objects and then placing the hand on the chest and mouth as a gesture of greeting is not established from the Prophet ﷺ, the Companions, or the early generations, and would be considered a bidah (innovation) if adopted as a religious practice. Respect is required in handling such objects, but inventing rituals without basis in the Sunnah is not permissible.
References:
[1] عن أم المؤمنين أم عبد الله عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: ((من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو رد)) رواه البخاري ومسلم. وفي رواية لمسلم ((من عمل عملا ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد)).
ص16 – كتاب التحفة الربانية في شرح الأربعين حديثا النووية – الحديث الخامس – المكتبة الشاملة
[2] ٥٠٦٢ – أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ، أَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ، ثنا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، ثنا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي مُلَيْكَةَ قَالَ: كَانَ عِكْرِمَةُ بْنُ أَبِي جَهْلٍ يَأْخُذُ الْمُصْحَفَ فَيَضَعُهُ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ وَيَبْكِي وَيَقُولُ: «كَلَامُ رَبِّي كِتَابُ رَبِّي»
[التعليق – من تلخيص الذهبي]٥٠٦٢ – مرسل
ص271 – كتاب المستدرك على الصحيحين ط العلمية – ذكر مناقب عكرمة بن أبي جهل واسم أبيه مشهور – المكتبة الشاملة
Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.
Written by Alimah Saleha Bukhari Islam
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
