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Title: An Examination of Salafiyyah Scholars' Discourse on Kneeling and Bending as Manners of Greeting in Islam
Authors: Olayinka Ibrahim Oniye, Yusuph, Dauda Gambari
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Qur'anic Studies
Publisher: Islamia University, Bahawalpur
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2023
Volume: 2
Issue: 2
Language: English
Bending, bowing, and kneeling are popular greetings across various tribes and societies, especially in Nigeria. The admissibility or otherwise of these manners has attracted the attention of Salafiyyah scholars in Islam. Relying on different sources, both from the Qur'ān and aḥādith, the past and present scholars in the Salafiyyah bloc have declared these manners as forbidden in Islam, which may even constitute Shirk (associating partners with Allah). The objective of this paper is to examine various pieces of evidence that are relied upon by these scholars for making such declarations, having realized that the issues of kneeling or bending, among others, are not expressly declared as such in either of the two primary sources of Islamic legislation compared to other acts that constitute ḥarām or Shirk. The exegetical and analytical methods of research were adopted in this paper. The two methods enable the assessment of relevant verses of the Qur'an and aḥādith of the Prophet in the light of classical Mufassirūn's submissions on those verses and renditions of scholars like Al-Bani on most cited aḥādīth on the issue of bending as a manner of greeting in Islam. After a critical examination, the finding revealed that most verses are grossly misconstrued; the most relied upon ḥadīth is weak, while the supporting ones are unfounded. It was also discovered that there are a lot of misconceptions, misunderstandings, and overgeneralizations in the Salafiyyah scholars' submissions regarding the issues of bending and other manners of greeting. This paper, therefore, concluded that there is no substantive basis for a declaration of kneeling and bending while greeting as either ḥarām or Shirk due to the absence of express provision from the Qur'ān and ḥadith.    
To examine the evidence relied upon by Salafiyyah scholars for declaring kneeling and bending as forbidden in Islam, potentially constituting Shirk, and to assess the validity of these declarations.
The paper adopted exegetical and analytical research methods, utilizing inductive and deductive approaches. It involved assessing relevant verses of the Qur'an and hadith in light of classical Mufassirn's submissions and scholarly renditions on the issue.
graph TD
A["Identify Salafiyyah Scholars' Stance on Kneeling/Bending Greetings"] --> B["Analyze Qur'anic Verses and Hadith Cited"];
B --> C["Evaluate Classical Mufassirn's Interpretations"];
C --> D["Assess Authenticity and Strength of Hadith"];
D --> E["Identify Misinterpretations and Overgeneralizations"];
E --> F["Formulate Findings on Validity of Salafiyyah Declarations"];
F --> G["Conclude on the Basis for Prohibition"];
The paper critically analyzes the Salafiyyah scholars' arguments, which primarily stem from interpretations of Qur'anic verses and hadith concerning prostration (sujd) and bowing (ruku). It highlights that these scholars often equate bending and kneeling with prostration, a form of worship exclusively due to Allah. The research points out weaknesses in the chains of narration (isnad) and the texts (matn) of the hadith commonly used to support their stance. The paper also contrasts the Salafiyyah view with interpretations by classical Mufassirn who differentiate between prostration for worship and prostration for greeting or respect. The historical context of greetings and the concept of intention (niyyah) are discussed as crucial factors.
- Most Qur'anic verses cited by Salafiyyah scholars are misconstrued.
- The most relied-upon hadith regarding bending as a greeting is weak, and supporting hadith are unfounded.
- There are significant misconceptions, misunderstandings, and overgeneralizations in Salafiyyah scholars' submissions on kneeling and bending as greetings.
- There is no substantive basis in the Qur'an and hadith to declare kneeling and bending as greeting manners as haram or Shirk.
The Salafiyyah scholars' position on declaring kneeling and bending as greeting manners as haram or Shirk is based on faulty premises, misconstrued evidence, and weak hadith. There is no express provision in the primary sources of Islam to support such a condemnation. The practice should be reconsidered and potentially regarded as makruh (detestable) rather than haram or Shirk.
- The paper cites Qur'an 24:61 and 4:86 regarding greetings.
- It references Sahih al-Bukhari (No. 6231) and Sahih Muslim (No. 163) for hadith on greetings.
- The paper discusses the hadith of Mu'adh ibn Jabal, which is cited as authentic or sound by some scholars, including Al-Bani.
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