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Is kissing the hand of maternal and paternal uncles – as a form of showing respect – Islamically permissible?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Kissing the hand of parents, an uncle (paternal or maternal), or a sheikh is permissible if it is done out of reverence, respect, and honor, as long as it does not lead to an apparent harm. Jurists have permitted kissing the hand and head as an act of piety, honor, and respect, provided there is no fear of lust. They have also allowed kissing the hand of a scholar, parents, a teacher, and anyone who deserves glorification and honor, as an act of dutifulness, honor, or compassion. Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Battal mentioned that Malik's dislike of kissing the hand was when it was done out of glorification and arrogance, but if it was for the sake of drawing closer to Allah due to one's religion, knowledge, or noble lineage, then it is permissible. Ibn Uthaymeen indicated the permissibility of kissing the hand of a father, sheikh, and teacher out of respect, unless there is a fear that the person whose hand is being kissed might become conceited. Ibn Jibreen views it as permissible if it is done out of respect and reverence for parents, scholars, people of virtue, and elderly relatives, considering it an act of respect and not subjugation.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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