Should Muslims stop greeting one another with handshakes and embraces amidst the outbreak of the corona virus?
Our Shaykh Abu Bilaal Al-Hadhramy- may Allah preserve him- was asked the following question on 25th Rajab1441( 20th March 2020):
Question 2 of 3:
The Questioner says : In addition to this: Is to avoid greeting with handshakes and embraces. (Instead) they advise to greet by waving, similar to the greeting of Non-Muslims. What is the ruling of stopping handshakes in this case ?
Answer:
If something of this nature has occurred and there are some known instances in which it was passed on by way of handshaking or embracing; then it is appropriate for the people to avoid handshaking and embracing. (Avoiding) the harm of a danger takes precedence over fulfilling a good deed.
So this is to be left preventatively so that one does not catch this illness from someone that has it.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
[” لاَ يُورِدُ مُمْرِضٌ عَلَى مُصِحٍّ ”]
A sick person should not be put before a healthy person.[1]
This applies even to handshaking; that you should not shake his hand.
He ﷺ also said:
“ “إِنَّا قَدْ بَايَعْنَاكَ فَارْجِع
We have certainly accepted your pledge of allegiance, so you may return.[2]
He ﷺ usually accepted pledges of allegiance by shaking hands, but stopped so nothing of that nature could occur[3].
So, if it is known that this harmful illness is passed on by way of handshaking and embracing; in this case there is nothing wrong (with stopping).
But if this is not the case at all, and it is all just guesswork, assumptions, inclinations and inaccurate research; then this is does not apply so do not pay them any attention.
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[1.] Narrated by Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abdur Rahman ibn ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) in Muslim (2221)
[2.] Narrated by Sharin ibn Suwade AlThaqafee (may Allah be pleased with him) in Muslim (2231)
[3.] i.e. the passing on of leprosy. Sharin ibn Suwade AlThaqafee reported that there was a man in the delegation with leprosy, so the Prophet ﷺ sent this message to him (instead of shaking their hands). This is mentioned in the same hadith cited above.
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Translated by : Abu Sufyaan Saami ibn Daniel Al-Ghaani