1. When two Muslims meet one another, they should greet each other with salām first and then shake hands, as doing this is a sunnah of the Companions رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم; rather it is a sunnah of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم himself.^[1]

2. Here are some intentions that can be made when shaking hands and hugging: I will keep the sunnah of shaking hands alive, I will shake hands according to the Sunnah by ensuring both hands touch without any barrier in between, I will recite ṣalāt upon the Prophet when shaking hands, and I will perform the sunnah of hugging.

3. Sayyidunā Qatādah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ asked Sayyidunā Anas رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, “Did the Companions رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم shake one another’s hands?” Sayyidunā Anas   رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ replied, “Yes.”^[2]

4. When two friends meet each other, shake hands, and send ṣalāt upon the Prophet, before they separate from one another, their past and future sins are forgiven.^[3]

5. When shaking hands, after sending ṣalāt upon the Prophet, recite this dua if possible: یَغْفِرُ اللّٰہُ لَنَا وَ لَکُم, meaning: “May Allah Almighty forgive us and you.” Any dua that is made when shaking hands is accepted, as stated in a hadith: “Whatever dua two Muslims make when shaking hands is accepted, to the extent that their sins will be forgiven before they separate from one another.”^[4]

Announcement

The remaining Sunnahs and etiquettes of shaking hands and hugging will be mentioned in the study circles, so please take part in them to learn more.

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                     صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد