ONE HADITH A DAY

No two Muslims meet and shake hands except that their sins are forgiven before they part

Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Mājah, and Ahmad · Sahīh (authentic) based on its overall chains of transmission

عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمَيْنِ يَلْتَقِيَانِ فَيَتَصَافَحَانِ إِلَّا غُفِرَ لَهُمَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَفْتَرِقَا».

“Al-Barā’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No two Muslims meet and shake hands except that their sins are forgiven before they part."”

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that no two Muslims meet on a way or the like, and one of them greets the other with a handshake, except that both of them will be forgiven before they part ways, whether physically or after finishing the handshake.

Benefits

• Shaking hands upon meeting is recommended and encouraged.
• Al-Munāwi said: The Sunnah act is not fulfilled except by placing the right hand in the right hand when there is no excuse.
• Encouraging spreading the greeting of peace and highlighting the great reward attained when a Muslim shakes hands with his fellow Muslim.
• The prohibited handshaking, such as shaking hands with a foreign woman, is excluded from the Hadīth.

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