Salaam and touching of the feet.

 A Sunnah or a tradition of the Hindus?

 

For many decades if not centuries. The people of Bangladesh have been doing Salaam by falling to the feet.

 

It is a practiced commonly whether in weddings or on the occasion of Eid. We have to look at it in an Islamic point of view.

 

How did the prophet saw do Salaam.

 

In Hadith it comes

 

A man once came to the Prophet (saw) and said Assalamu Alaikum and then sat down. The prophet saw replied to the salaam and said Ten (meaning ten rewards for him) a second man came and said Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah and sat down. The prophet (saw) replied and said 20. A third man came and said Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatulahiwa Barakatuhu. The prophet (saw) replied and said 30.

 

(Abu Dawood And Thirmidhi)

 

In another Hadith the Prophet (saw) said

 

One who is riding should salute a pedestrian, a pedestrian should salute one who is sitting down, a small group should salute a large group and a junior to an elder.

 

These are two Hadith taken out from numerous Hadith’s on Salutations but all these Hadith’s only refer to Salaam done verbally and not physically falling to the feet.

 

Many Oloma’s whether from Bangladesh or not have failed to find Hadith relating to touching of the feet.

 

Many Oloma’s however have regarded it to be a ritual of the Hindus thus forbidden it.

 

So we should stop practicing this evil act because it could guide us to other ways.

 

So remember to do Salaam by falling to the feet is prohibited unless you can find an authentic Hadith.