Is it permissible to kiss the forehead or cheeks of a person?

Question

What is the ruling of kissing the forehead or cheeks of a person after shaking his hands and hugging him? There is one brother that does this when meeting the Imam different shuykhs that come to the Masjid.

Hasan Ahmed Razzak · Accepted Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

The Fuqahaa have mentioned that a kiss can be an expression for five different emotions:

1. On the cheeks of a child out of love and Mahabbah.

2. On the head of one’s parent out of mercy.

3. On the forehead of one’s brother out of compassion.

4. On the lips of one’s wife out of passion.

5. On the hands of a Mu’min as a greeting.

In the enquired situation, the brother is expressing his affection and reverence for the Imam out of respect and honor. [1]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Hasan Ahmed Razzak

Student – Darul Iftaa

Paterson, New Jersey, USA

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

2021-02-19

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