Answered by Sidi Fadi Qutub Zada
What is the sunna of our holy prophet s.a.s. while greeting? Is the kissing which we do in our country about three times sunna? or is only the handshake allowed and what about to take someone in his arm?
In the name of Allah, most Compassionate and Merciful
Wa alaikum as-salam wa rahmatu’Allahi wa barakatuhu,
The sunna of our holy Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) is to shake hands when greeting.
Bukhari related from Qatada that he said, “I said to Anas ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him), did the companions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) shake hands (when greeting)?” He said, “yes.”
It is mentioned in al-Hadiyyah al-Alaiyyah, that it is prohibitively disliked (makruh tahriman) for a man to kiss another man (whether it is on the face, hands, cheeks, etc.), or for a woman to kiss another woman when meeting or parting, if done lustfully. However, if it was done by way of virtue and respect, then it is permissible. [al-Hadiyyah al-Alaiyyah page 284]
It is also permissible for a man to embrace another man if both of the men are covered, and if it is done without lust. [al-Hadiyyah al-Alaiyyah page 285]
Abu Daod related from ash-Sha’bi, that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) received Ja’far ibn Abi Talib (when he arrived from his journey), and he embraced him and kissed him between his two eyes.
And Allah knows best
Fadi Qutub
Amman, Jordan