Is Hugging on Eid an Innovation (Bid`a)?

Answered by Sidi Salman Younas

Question: Is it bidah to hug on Eid? A dear friend refused to hug saying it is a bidah. What is the correct way to celebrate eid then? What is the right way to greet fellow Muslims on Eid? Please explain the correct position.

Answer: assalamu `alaykum

I pray you are well.

The texts of the Hanafi school are clear that the act of hugging between two individuals is permissible if done while (a) properly clothed (b) without desire, and (c) with the same sex.

Ibn Nujaym states in his Bahr al-Ra’iq, mentioning the ruling of hugging, “Our Shaykhs have stated that if one is confident in being free of desire and intends kindness, honoring, and showing respect to a Muslim then there is no harm in it (la ba’s bihi).”

This was also indicated by Imam Marghinani in his Hidayah, Imam Haskafi in his Durr al-Mukhtar, and ibn `Abidin in his Hashiya.

As such, there would no dislikedness in hugging others on Eid day to express one’s joy and happiness. Bringing happiness to the hearts of the believers is one of the most rewarding of acts one can perform, whether it be through a smile, handshake, or hug.

Wassalam
Salman