THE BID’AH OF EID HANDSHAKING AND HUGGING
by Maulana Khaalid Khaan Qaasmi
A new way adopted for wishing one another on the day of ‘Eid is hand-shaking and hugging. This practise has no basis in the Shariah of Islam. Since this practice is not proven from any statement, deed or narration of Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam), nor from any Sahaabi (radhiyallaahu ‘anhum), and nor from any Mujtahid Imaam, it is a bid’ah which is an innovated into Deen. It is a baseless custom.
The claim of some people that it is a good innovation is nothing but shaytaani deception and trickery. How can any Believer claim that a practise which is innovated in conflict with Allah’s Shariah and the Sunnah of His Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam) is better or good? It is of utmost importance to abstain from these innovations.In fact hand-shaking embracing are beautiful way and good practices which are recommended by the Shariah.
However, the practice will remain virtuous and [praiseworthy as long as it is observed in the manner specified by the Shariah. If it is effected in conflict with the specification s of the Shariah, then that very practice which per se is laudable will be transformed into an evil innovation.It will be an act of transgression deserving punishment from Allah Ta’aala.Understand well that the Pristine Shariah has ordained hand-shaking at the time of meeting and departing, and embracing/hugging at the time of returning from a journey. There these two acts if done at these specified occasions, will be deemed to be Sunnah and a means of virtue and reward.
If done on other then the specified occasions, such as the time of the two Eids, it will be bid’ah. It is indeed anamolous that the father, sons, brothers, relatives, neighbours and friends arrive collectively from their homes at the Eidgah and immediately after completing the Eid Salaah, they begin shaking hands with one another despite the fact that a very short while ago they had collectively arrived from their homes chatting with one another. Neither is this their first meet nor is it a time for their separation, yet they initiate the acts of hand-shaking and hugging believing it to be an act of virtue associated with the occasion of Eid. But the Shariah has not ordained these acts of hand-shaking and hugging for these occasions.
These are acts contrary to the Sharee’ah. They are s a bid’ah – a reprehensible innovation and interpolation in Deen. It is incumbent to abstain from all such acts.