Question # 308: what is the ruling on shaking hands, embracing and congratulating one another after the Eid prayer?

Bismi-llahi r-raḥmani r-raḥīm,

Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

All praise and thanks are due to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Dear questioner,

First of all, we implore Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.

Shorter Answer: The Sahabah (رضي الله عنهم) used to congratulate one another on the occasion of Eid by saying “Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum” (May Allah accept (this worship) from us and from you). Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: There is nothing wrong with these things (i.e., shaking hands, embracing and greeting) because people do not do these things as acts of worship intended to draw them closer to Allah, rather they do them because they are customary, and to honor and show respect to one another. So long as there is nothing in shari’ah to indicate that a custom is forbidden, then the basic principle is that it is permissible.

Long Answer: It was narrated that that Sahabah (رضي الله عنهم) used to congratulate one another on the occasion of Eid by saying “Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum” (May Allah accept (this worship) from us and from you). It was narrated that Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: When the companions of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) met one another on the day of Eid, they would say to one another: “Taqabbal Allahu minna wa mink (May Allah accept (this worship) from us and from you).” Al-Haafiz said: Its isnad is hasan.

Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) said: There is nothing wrong with one man saying to another on the day of Eid: Taqabbal Allahu minna wa mink (May Allah accept (this worship) from us and from you). This was narrated by Ibn Qudamah in al-Mughni.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah replied to a similar question: “With regard to the greeting on the day of Eid, which people say to one another when meeting after the prayer, “Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum wa ahaalahu Allah ‘alayka (May Allah accept (this worship) from us and from you and may you live to see another Eid)” etc., this was narrated from a number of the Sahabah who used to do that and allow others to do so too, and from the Imams such as Imam Ahmad. But Ahmad said: I do not initiate this greeting (“Eid Mubarak”) with anyone. But if someone greets me in this manner I return his greeting. That is because returning a greeting is obligatory, but initiating this greeting is not a Sunnah that is enjoined, but neither is it forbidden. The one who does it has an example and the one who does not do it also has an example. And Allah knows best. (al-Fataawa al-Kubra)

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen replied to a similar question: “It is permissible to offer greetings and congratulations on Eid, and there is no specific greeting. Rather the greetings that people customarily use are permissible so long as no sin is involved… Some of the Sahabah offered greetings and congratulations on the occasion of Eid. Even if we assume that they did not do that, it has now become something customary that people are used to doing, congratulating one another on the occasion of Eid and on completing the fast and qiyam… There is nothing wrong with these things because people do not do these things as acts of worship intended to draw them closer to Allah, rather they do them because they are customary, and to honor and show respect to one another. So long as there is nothing in shari’ah to indicate that a custom is forbidden, then the basic principle is that it is permissible.” (Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen)

(The above reply is based on answer provided by Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid on the topic)

Allahu A’lam (Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knows best) and all Perfections belong to Allah, and all mistakes belong to me alone. May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) forgive me, Ameen.

Wassalaam