Q: In India, it is a
social tradition for sons to touch parents’ feet when greeting them. The
summary of an answer I have seen on this subject is that from the Islamic point
of view, such actions are unacceptable. Could you please offer your viewpoint on
this?
A: First of all, within
the Qur'an, it states that God had clearly detailed what is forbidden and what
is not. This generally applies to the category of actions, although in some cases,
we may adjudge the permissibility or impermissibility of certain actions based
on social convention. On top of that, it must be understood that all actions
ought to be judged by their intention. Now the sons' touching of a parent's
feet does not in any way denote worship of the parent, but on the other hand,
extreme reverence. I do agree that in a society where such an action could
insinuate worship, then the action must not be done, and this is why we don't
see Saudi Arabians, for example, performing this ritual. In India, on the other
hand, the societal value of this ritual is one that is understood by all to
show filial respect and nothing else. We cannot subject regional customs to
imported understandings of Islam. As a matter of fact, the Qur'an gives us the
prime example of this in sura
Yusuf, wherein it speaks of Yusuf's parents making prostration before him,
and in sura
al-Baqara,
where the angels are ordered to prostrate before Adam. No rational person would
suggest that these acts were akin to
worship, nor would the same logic suggest that the kissing of the Black Stone
by some who perform the hajj is an unacceptable ritual because it
resembles worship.
Much of this idea of worship is
based on a hadith wherein the Prophet Muhammad allegedly stated that if
he could order anyone to prostrate before another, he would
have ordered a wife to prostrate before her husband. We will not discuss here
the reliability of this Pauline type hadith, but will simply note that
in context, the connotation and terminology used were specifically related to
the aspect of worship, insinuating that to a wife, the husband ought to be
almost like a god. Whatever one's view of the hadith, we must not forget
that the hadith scenario is placed in a situation different to that of
an established, non-worship associated custom of India. Islam did not come to
destroy that which is honorable and shows respect for parents, and as such, I
would say that there is nothing wrong with this practice of the Indian Muslims.
May Allah grant us the strength to honor our parents as they ought to be
honored for bringing us into this world, and for enduring many sufferings to
raise us as respectful and respectable human beings.
Posted September 23,
2005