Question: What is the provision of handshake in the eyes of Islam? Some say it is not right, others say it forgives previous sins. Which is actually correct?
Answer:
It is narrated on the authority of Bara (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمِينِ يَلْتَقِيَانِ فَيَتَصَافَحَانِ إِلاَّ غُفِرَ لَهُمَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَفْتَرِقَا If two Muslims make musafah in a meeting, their sins are forgiven before they separate from each other. [Abu Dawood 5212, 5211, At-Tirmidhi 2628, Ibn Majah 3603] However, it is not right to shake hands while doing musafah. This is the culture of Christians. The rule is that one’s right hand should match the palm of the other’s right hand. If this is done, Musafah will be done according to the correct rules inshaAllah.
Answering: Sheikh Abdullah Hadi bin Abdul JalilDai, Jubail Dawa Center, Saudi Arabia.