Salaam with the indication of a finger or hand

QUESTION:

Is the following narration or post authentic or fabricated:

To convey Salaam by means of gesturing with the finger or the palm is disallowed. It has been mentioned in the Hadith that to greet by the gesturing with the finger is the manner of the Jews and to gesture with the palm is the manner of the Christians.

ANSWER:

The following Hadith is recorded in Tirmidhi Sharif:

عن عمرو بن شعيب عن أبيه عن جده أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ليس منا من تشبه بغيرنا لا تشبهوا باليهود ولا بالنصارى فإن تسليم اليهود الإشارة بالأصابع، وتسليم النصارى الإشارة بالأكف. «هذا حديث إسناده ضعيف» وروى ابن المبارك هذا الحديث عن ابن لهيعة فلم

يرفعه (سنن الترمذي #2695)

Hadrat Amr Bin Shuaib narrates from his father who narrates from his grandfather that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “Whoever imitates others besides us is not from us. Do not resemble or imitate the Jews and the Christians, for verily the greeting of the Jews is indicating with the fingers and the greeting of the Christians is indicating with the palms (hands).    

 There is some weakness in the chain of narrators, but Mulla Ali Qari Rahimahullah states that it may be quoted. Imaam Suyuti has also recorded this narration from Abdullah Bin Amr Radiallahu Anhu. Hence, the narration is reliable when narrated by other Sahaaba as well.

وعن عمرو بن شعيب، عن أبيه، عن جده – رضي الله عنهم أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ليس منا من تشبه بغيرنا لا تشبهوا باليهود ولا بالنصارى فإن تسليم اليهود الإشارة بالأصابع وتسليم النصارى الإشارة بالأكف. رواه الترمذي وقال: إسناده ضعيف… ولعل وجهه أنه من عمرو بن شعيب عن أبيه عن جده، وقد تقدم الخلاف فيه، وأن المعتمد أن سنده حسن، لا سيما وقد أسنده السيوطي في الجامع الصغير إلى ابن عمرو، فارتفع النزاع وزال الإشكال(مرقاة المفاتيح #4649)

It is also recorded in Ahsanul Fataawa that if it is difficult for the voice to reach a person when making Salaam, then it will be permissible to make Salaam with indication and the response to such a Salaam will also be Waajib. If the voice reaches, then it will not be sufficient to make Salaam by indication rather to utter the words of Salaam will be Waajib.

Re: – Ahsanul Fataawa Pg.143 Vol.8

In conclusion, as far as possible one should verbally make Salaam without any indications with the hand. If the person is at a distance, then Salaam with the hand will be permitted. Indicating with the hand or finger only is the way of the disbelievers as mentioned in the post.

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: – 10 Rabi ul Aakhir 1445 / 26 October 2023