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Q & A --> Innovation (bid‘a) --> The Ruling for Kissing the Holy Book (al-Qur’an)

Question : A question was asked regarding the [validity of] kissing the Holy Book.

Fatwa in Brief: The Holy Book (i.e. the Qur’an) was revealed for reading and reflection; and there is no evidence to support that Muslims should kiss it.

The Permanent Committee, al-Buhuth Magazine, 45/96

Response:

Kissing the Holy Book is a way to show one’s honor and respect for it. The same practice is also a way of glorifying the rituals of God. As there is no [established] prohibition against kissing the Holy Book, Muslims are permitted to do so. [Indeed] It is recommended for them if [by kissing it] they mean to glorify and honor the Qur’an.

Commentary:

The subject of kissing is mentioned as follows in the law. The Prophet (upon him be peace) kissed the Black Stone [in the Ka‘ba], and [thus] it is Sunna to do so. [Now] Why did the Prophet (upon him be peace) kiss it? [He did so] Because it is said that kissing it [the Black Stone] is similar (tashabih) to kissing the hands of one’s master and sovereign. And, in some stories, the stone is likened to the Right Hand of God on Earth, the Hand with which He shakes the hands of His worshippers. In this sense, kissing it [the Black Stone] is a way of glorifying God, and of showing one’s respect to Him; it also demonstrates one’s willingness to agree to obey and commit to Him; such as when a person gives his oath of allegiance to another [bay‘a]. [Another reason to kiss the stone could be that] It also honors the remaining rock of the Ka‘ba that Ibrahim (upon him peace) first built.

There are many reports attributed to the Prophet (upon him be peace) and his glorious Companions (r.a.) in which they kiss each other as a sign of respect and ennoblement. Among these are included:

1.  The Prophet (upon him be peace) received Ja‘far ibn Abu Talib on returning from Ethiopia and embraced him, then kissed him between his eyes.

2.  Zaid ibn Haritha came to the Prophet (upon him be peace) in ‘Aisha’s house. The Prophet (upon him be peace) rose up and embraced Zayd and kissed him.

3.  When the invaders came back from Mu’ta, they kissed the Prophet (upon

him be peace)’s hands.

4.  When God forgave those who had failed to join the Tabuk expedition, they kissed the hands of the Prophet (upon him be peace).

5.  The Prophet (upon him be peace) allowed the delegation of ‘Abd al-Qays to kiss his hands.

6.  The Prophet (upon him be peace) permitted Usaid ibn Hudhair to kiss him. [This story goes as follows:] Usaid was struck by the Prophet [after he exceeded the limits of good taste in conversation.] Usaid protested that the Prophet had genuinely hurt him, and asked to take his revenge. The Prophet pulled up his shirt and told Usaid to strike him wherever he willed. Overwhelmed by his love for the Prophet and embarrassment at the situation, Usaid declared: “How dare I ask for revenge? In truth, I was merely looking for a chance to kiss your body”. And then he kissed the Prophet’s body.[1]

7.  Two Jews asked the Prophet (upon him be peace) about nine miracles. When he explained these to them, they kissed his hands and feet and converted to Islam.

8.When ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab went to al-Sham, Abu ‘Ubayda kissed his hand; in another version of this story, Abu ‘Ubayda wanted to kiss his hand, but ‘Umar clenched his fist, held up his foot and ‘Ubayda kissed this instead. Zaid ibn Thabit kissed the hands of ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Abbas when the latter held the stirrups of his horse steady as he [Zaid] mounted it. Zaid kissed his hands to show respect for the people of the Messenger’s house.

9.People kissed Salama ibn al-Akwa’s hand, when they knew that he had worn allegiance to the Messenger of God with it.

[The logic underpinning the regulation on] The kissing of the Holy Book is similar. It is simply a way of showing respect, and of appreciating the honor, glory [of the Book] and of agreeing to obey it and to be pious [towards it]. It [Kissing the Book of God] is also a way of glorifying the rituals of God:

“And whoso magnifieth the offerings consecrated to Allah, it surely is from devotion of the hearts”. (Q. 22: 32)

It is also a way of thanking God for His blessings:

“And when your Lord proclaimed: If ye give thanks, I will give you more; but if ye are thankless, lo! My punishment is dire”. (Q. 14: 7)

God’s blessings are many, to the extent which they cannot be counted. It is obligatory for us to thank God for them. Thanking Him increases these blessings or at least maintains their number; while disbelief (kufr) reduces them, or means that we may lose our pleasure in them. As there is no explicit prohibition against kissing the Holy Book, it is permitted to do so. Indeed, the same act is recommended, if through our kisses we mean to glorify and honor the Qur’an.

And God knows best.

Dr. Yassir ‘Abd al-‘Azim  


[1] Al-Buhiqi, Sunan, 13970.