Title: I have a question about greeting elders. In our culture, the young bend down to greet their elders and the elders put their hand over the head and make a dua. I wanted to know if it is permissible Islamically to greet your father, grandfather, etc. by lowering the head?

Question: AsSalamuAlaikum. I have a question about greeting elders. In our culture, the young bend down to greet their elders and the elders put their hand over the head and make a dua. I wanted to know if it is permissible Islamically to greet your father, grandfather, etc. by lowering the head?

Answer ID: 21274Posted on: Sep 1, 2020

Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim !

(Fatwa: 491/491/M=1431)

The culture of greeting by bowing down is not right. It is forbidden in hadith to bow down while meeting with each other. It is mentioned in Mishkat al-Masabih that a person asked the holy Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) whether one should bow down before his brother or friend when he meets him? The holy Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) replied: No. (Mishkat: p 401)

One should not greet one?s father and grandfather as well by bowing down.