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.