منهج البحث في مسائل التعظيم والاتباع
ما أجمل أن نبحث المسائل التي تتعلق بالدين بروح طلب الحق واتباع الدليل، لا بروح الخصومة أو التنازع. وقد كان أئمة الإسلام — مع اختلاف اجتهاداتهم — يردّون كل أمر إلى الكتاب والسنة وفهم السلف الصالح، ويزنون الأقوال بميزان الشرع لا بميزان الأشخاص.
ولعل كلمة الإمام مالك رحمه الله تُلخِّص هذا المنهج حين أشار إلى قبر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم وقال:
«كلٌّ يؤخذ من قوله ويُردّ، إلا صاحب هذا القبر».
فلا عصمة بعد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم لأحدٍ من البشر، مهما علا علمه أو صلاحه أو مكانته؛ ولذلك كان خوف العلماء دائماً من أن تتحول المحبة المشروعة والتوقير الواجب إلى غلوٍّ يرفع الأشخاص فوق منازلهم.
وقد أحسن الصحابي الجليل عبد الله بن مسعود رضي الله عنه إذ قال:
«اتبعوا ولا تبتدعوا فقد كُفيتم».
وهذا لا يمنع من احترام العلماء والصالحين وتوقيرهم، فذلك من أدب الإسلام، ولكن ضمن الحدود التي شرعها الله تعالى.
وعلينا الرجوع إلى كلام الأئمة؛ فبه تُعرف منازل الأقوال، ويبتعد المرء عن الإفراط والتفريط.
وإلى كل من أراد أن يعبد الله بعلم، ويتبع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم على بصيرة، كما قال تعالى:
﴿قُلْ هَذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي﴾،
أُقدِّم هذا المختصر في المسألة:
إن هذه القضية لا تُحسم بالانطباعات، وإنما تُوزن بأقوال الأئمة وأدلتهم، ويمكن تلخيص كلامهم في محورين: تقبيل اليد، واتخاذ ذلك شعاراً للشيخ والطريقة مع مظاهر التعظيم.
أولاً: أقوال من أجاز تقبيل اليد بضوابط
ذكر الإمام النووي في كتابه «الأذكار» أن تقبيل يد الرجل لزهده وصلاحه وعلمه وشرفه وصيانته ونحو ذلك مستحب، أما تقبيلها لغناه أو دنياه أو شوكته ونحو ذلك فمكروه، واستدل بما ورد من الآثار في هذا الباب.
كما ذكر ابن حجر العسقلاني في «فتح الباري» الأحاديث الواردة في تقبيل اليد، ومال إلى جواز ذلك إذا كان على وجه الإكرام والاحترام، لا على وجه التعظيم المذموم.
ثانياً: أقوال من كره الإكثار منه أو اتخاذه عادة
نُقل عن الإمام مالك كراهة بعض صور تقبيل اليد، وكان مذهبه يميل إلى سد أبواب التعظيم التي قد تفضي إلى الغلو، مع وجود تفصيل في الروايات المنقولة عنه بحسب السبب والحال.
كما رُويت عن الإمام أحمد بن حنبل أقوال متنوّعة؛ ففي بعضها أجاز تقبيل يد العالم والصالح، وفي بعضها كره اتخاذ ذلك عادةً، مما يدل على التفريق بين عارض الاحترام وبين الهيئة الملازمة التي تشبه التعظيم الزائد.
وذكر شيخ الإسلام ابن تيمية في مواضع من كتبه، بمعنى كلامه، أن تقبيل اليد إذا كان على وجه التعبد والتقرب، أو اتُّخذ عادةً تُفعل مع بعض الناس كما تُفعل مع الملوك، فذلك غير مشروع، أما ما كان على وجه الإكرام أحياناً لمن يستحق فلا بأس به.
ثالثاً: بيعة الشيخ والطريقة
هنا كان إنكار كثير من العلماء أشد؛ لأن البيعة الشرعية التي جاءت بها السنة كانت لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم، ثم للخلفاء والأئمة فيما يتعلق بشؤون الأمة.
أما جعل بيعة خاصة لكل شيخ يلتزم فيها المريد بطاعة مخصوصة ذات صبغة دينية لازمة، فقد نظر إليها كثير من أهل العلم على أنها من الأمور المحدثة التي تحتاج إلى دليل شرعي، وقد انتقد ذلك عدد من العلماء في كلامهم على البدع والالتزامات التعبدية التي لا أصل لها.
وخلاصة أقوال الأئمة:
• تقبيل اليد أحياناً: أجازه أو استحبه جماعة من العلماء إذا كان إكراماً لأهل العلم والفضل، دون اعتقاد خصوصية في الشخص.
• جعله شعاراً دائماً للشيخ عند اللقاء، أو ربطه بالانتساب الروحي والطاعة الخاصة: هو محل إنكار عند عدد من الأئمة؛ لما قد يفضي إليه من الغلو.
• وما زاد على ذلك من تقبيل القدم أو الانحناء أو مظاهر التقديس: فإن إنكار العلماء له أشد، لما فيه من صور التعظيم التي لا تليق بالمخلوق.
ومن الأمور الجديرة بالتأمل أن خير القرون، وهم الصحابة والتابعون وأتباعهم، عرفوا أعظم العلماء والزهاد والعباد، ولم يُنقل عنهم اتخاذ طقوس مبايعة شخصية للزهاد أو جعل تقبيل أيديهم شعاراً ملازماً.
وهذا من أقوى ما استند إليه المنتقدون لهذه الممارسات؛ لأن وجود الداعي إلى الفعل في زمن النبي صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم وأصحابه، مع عدم وجود مانع يمنعهم منه، ثم تر
له، له دلالة معتبرة عند طائفة من علماء أصول الفقه.
والله تعالى أعلم.
:::
أرى أن هذه النسخة أصبحت أقرب إلى المقال العلمي المختصر؛ فهي تبدأ بتقرير المنهج، ثم تعرض الأقوال، ثم تنتهي بخلاصة متوازنة، مع تجنب العبارات التي قد تُفهم على أنها تجريح لأشخاص أو طوائف، وإبقاء الميزان هو الدليل وكلام أهل العلم.
آمل ترجمة النسخة التي اعتمدناها إلى الإنجليزية ، من فضلك .
مع إضافة :
كان العلماء يختلفون، لكنهم كانوا يُعلِّمون الناس أن الحق يُعرف بالدليل، وأن الرجال يُعرفون بالحق، لا أن الحق يُعرف بالرجال .
وهذه هي الروح التي ازدهر بها تراثنا العلمي .
ما ذكرته أخي الكريم محا تقدير كبير، وأحسب أنك لم تكتفِ بنقل فكرة، بل تعاملت معها بروح الباحث؛ تُراجع، وتُدقّق، وتنقل من أقوال الأئمة، ثم تُعيد صياغتها حتى تستقيم الفكرة والعبارة معاً.
وأجمل ما ذكرت أنك حافظت على أدبٍ كان سمةً لكبار العلماء: التمييز بين احترام الأشخاص وعدم جعل أقوالهم فوق ميزان الدليل؛ فالعلم لا يزدهر بالتعصّب، بل بالحوار الهادئ والبحث الصادق.
أسأل الله أن يجعل ما تكتب وتنقل سبباً في نشر العلم النافع، وأن يرزقنا جميعاً الإخلاص، وحسن القصد، والإنصاف مع من نوافق ومن نختلف.
دائمًا مع التقدير والاحترام… ودون تقبيل اليد 💐
A Methodological Approach to Matters of Reverence and Following
How beautiful it is to discuss religious matters with a spirit of seeking the truth and following evidence, rather than a spirit of dispute and contention. The great scholars of Islam, despite their differences in juristic reasoning, always referred every matter back to the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the understanding of the righteous early generations. They weighed opinions according to the scale of the Divine Law, not according to the status of individuals.
The scholars differed among themselves, yet they taught people that truth is recognized through evidence, and that people are judged according to the truth — not that the truth is judged according to people.
This was the noble spirit through which our scholarly heritage flourished.
The statement of Imam Malik, may Almighty Allah have mercy upon him, beautifully summarizes this principle. While pointing towards the grave of the Messenger of Almighty Allah ﷺ, he said:
“Everyone’s statement may be accepted or rejected, except the occupant of this grave.”
There is no infallibility after the Messenger of Almighty Allah ﷺ for any human being, no matter how great his knowledge, righteousness, or status may be. For this reason, scholars have always feared that legitimate love and due respect might turn into excessive veneration that elevates individuals beyond their rightful place.
The noble Companion Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud, may Almighty Allah be pleased with him, expressed this meaning well when he said:
“Follow and do not introduce religious innovations, for you have been sufficed.”
This does not prevent us from honoring and respecting scholars and righteous people, for this is part of Islamic etiquette, but it must remain within the limits prescribed by Almighty Allah.
Therefore, we must return to the words of the recognized scholars, through which the weight and rank of different opinions become clear, and through which one avoids both excess and negligence.
To everyone who seeks to worship Almighty Allah with knowledge and to follow the Messenger of Almighty Allah ﷺ with insight, as Almighty Allah says:
“Say: This is my way; I call to Allah with clear insight — I and those who follow me.”
I present this brief summary of the matter:
This issue should not be decided merely by personal impressions or feelings, but should be examined through the statements of the scholars and their evidences. Their discussions can be summarized under two main subjects: kissing the hand, and turning this practice into a formal symbol associated with a spiritual guide or religious order together with excessive forms of reverence.
Firstly: The Opinions of Scholars Who Permitted Hand-Kissing with Conditions
Imam Al-Nawawi stated in his book Al-Adhkar that kissing the hand of a person due to his piety, righteousness, knowledge, honor, or virtue is recommended. However, kissing it because of wealth, worldly status, or authority is considered disliked. He relied upon the narrations reported regarding this subject.
Likewise, Ibn Hajar Al-‘Asqalani, in Fath Al-Bari, discussed the narrations concerning hand-kissing and inclined toward its permissibility when it is done as a gesture of respect and honor, not as a form of blameworthy glorification.
Secondly: The Opinions of Scholars Who Disliked Excessive or Habitual Hand-Kissing
Reports from Imam Malik indicate his dislike of certain forms of hand-kissing, as his approach tended to block the means leading to excessive veneration, while taking into account the circumstances and reasons behind the act.
Similarly, different reports were narrated from Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal. In some, he permitted kissing the hand of a scholar or a righteous person; in others, he disliked making it a regular custom. This indicates his distinction between a spontaneous expression of respect and a fixed practice resembling exaggerated reverence.
Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, in the meaning of his statements in various writings, explained that kissing the hand as an act of devotion and seeking closeness, or when it becomes a customary practice performed for certain people as it is done for kings, is not legislated. However, occasional hand-kissing as a form of respect for someone deserving of honor is not objectionable.
Thirdly: Allegiance to a Shaykh and Sufi Orders
The criticism of many scholars was stronger regarding this matter because the religious pledge of allegiance established in the Sunnah was given to the Messenger of Almighty Allah ﷺ, and afterward to the caliphs and leaders in matters related to the affairs of the Muslim community.
As for establishing a special pledge to every spiritual guide, in which the disciple commits himself to a particular obedience with a binding religious character, many scholars viewed this as a later innovation requiring a clear legal proof. A number of scholars criticized such practices when discussing innovations and devotional commitments that have no basis in the Islamic sources.
Summary of the Scholarly Opinions
• Occasional hand-kissing: It was permitted or considered recommended by a number of scholars when done as a sign of respect for people of knowledge and virtue, without believing that they possess any special sanctity.
• Making it a permanent practice toward a shaykh at every meeting, or linking it to spiritual affiliation and special obedience: This was criticized by a number of scholars because it may lead to excessive veneration.
• Going beyond this to kissing the feet, bowing, or other forms of sanctification: The condemnation of scholars was stronger due to the resemblance of such acts to forms of reverence that do not befit human beings.
One important historical observation is that the best generations — the Companions, their followers, and those who followed them in righteousness — knew the greatest scholars, ascetics, and worshippers among them, yet no reports indicate that they established personal ceremonies of allegiance to ascetics or made the kissing of their hands a permanent symbol.
This final point is among the strongest arguments of those who criticize such practices, because the existence of a reason to perform an act during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions, together with the absence of any obstacle preventing them from doing so, and then their refraining from it, carries significant weight according to a group of scholars of Islamic legal theory.
And Almighty Allah knows best
::
أرجو أن تكون هذه الترجمة قد حافظت على الروح العلمية والوقار الشرعي للنص العربي، مع صياغة إنجليزية طبيعية تصلح للنشر والقراءة من قِبل غير الناطقين بالعربية.
With best regards,
Translated by the Smart ProgramA Methodological Approach to Matters of Reverence and Following
How beautiful it is to discuss religious matters with a spirit of seeking the truth and following evidence, rather than a spirit of dispute and contention. The great scholars of Islam, despite their differences in juristic reasoning, always referred every matter back to the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the understanding of the righteous early generations. They weighed opinions according to the scale of the Divine Law, not according to the status of individuals.
The scholars differed among themselves, yet they taught people that truth is recognized through evidence, and that people are judged according to the truth — not that the truth is judged according to people.
This was the noble spirit through which our scholarly heritage flourished.
The statement of Imam Malik, may Almighty Allah have mercy upon him, beautifully summarizes this principle. While pointing towards the grave of the Messenger of Almighty Allah ﷺ, he said:
“Everyone’s statement may be accepted or rejected, except the occupant of this grave.”
There is no infallibility after the Messenger of Almighty Allah ﷺ for any human being, no matter how great his knowledge, righteousness, or status may be. For this reason, scholars have always feared that legitimate love and due respect might turn into excessive veneration that elevates individuals beyond their rightful place.
The noble Companion Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud, may Almighty Allah be pleased with him, expressed this meaning well when he said:
“Follow and do not introduce religious innovations, for you have been sufficed.”
This does not prevent us from honoring and respecting scholars and righteous people, for this is part of Islamic etiquette, but it must remain within the limits prescribed by Almighty Allah.
Therefore, we must return to the words of the recognized scholars, through which the weight and rank of different opinions become clear, and through which one avoids both excess and negligence.
To everyone who seeks to worship Almighty Allah with knowledge and to follow the Messenger of Almighty Allah ﷺ with insight, as Almighty Allah says:
“Say: This is my way; I call to Allah with clear insight — I and those who follow me.”
I present this brief summary of the matter:
This issue should not be decided merely by personal impressions or feelings, but should be examined through the statements of the scholars and their evidences. Their discussions can be summarized under two main subjects: kissing the hand, and turning this practice into a formal symbol associated with a spiritual guide or religious order together with excessive forms of reverence.
Firstly: The Opinions of Scholars Who Permitted Hand-Kissing with Conditions
Imam Al-Nawawi stated in his book Al-Adhkar that kissing the hand of a person due to his piety, righteousness, knowledge, honor, or virtue is recommended. However, kissing it because of wealth, worldly status, or authority is considered disliked. He relied upon the narrations reported regarding this subject.
Likewise, Ibn Hajar Al-‘Asqalani, in Fath Al-Bari, discussed the narrations concerning hand-kissing and inclined toward its permissibility when it is done as a gesture of respect and honor, not as a form of blameworthy glorification.
Secondly: The Opinions of Scholars Who Disliked Excessive or Habitual Hand-Kissing
Reports from Imam Malik indicate his dislike of certain forms of hand-kissing, as his approach tended to block the means leading to excessive veneration, while taking into account the circumstances and reasons behind the act.
Similarly, different reports were narrated from Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal. In some, he permitted kissing the hand of a scholar or a righteous person; in others, he disliked making it a regular custom. This indicates his distinction between a spontaneous expression of respect and a fixed practice resembling exaggerated reverence.
Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, in the meaning of his statements in various writings, explained that kissing the hand as an act of devotion and seeking closeness, or when it becomes a customary practice performed for certain people as it is done for kings, is not legislated. However, occasional hand-kissing as a form of respect for someone deserving of honor is not objectionable.
Thirdly: Allegiance to a Shaykh and Sufi Orders
The criticism of many scholars was stronger regarding this matter because the religious pledge of allegiance established in the Sunnah was given to the Messenger of Almighty Allah ﷺ, and afterward to the caliphs and leaders in matters related to the affairs of the Muslim community.
As for establishing a special pledge to every spiritual guide, in which the disciple commits himself to a particular obedience with a binding religious character, many scholars viewed this as a later innovation requiring a clear legal proof. A number of scholars criticized such practices when discussing innovations and devotional commitments that have no basis in the Islamic sources.
Summary of the Scholarly Opinions
• Occasional hand-kissing: It was permitted or considered recommended by a number of scholars when done as a sign of respect for people of knowledge and virtue, without believing that they possess any special sanctity.
• Making it a permanent practice toward a shaykh at every meeting, or linking it to spiritual affiliation and special obedience: This was criticized by a number of scholars because it may lead to excessive veneration.
• Going beyond this to kissing the feet, bowing, or other forms of sanctification: The condemnation of scholars was stronger due to the resemblance of such acts to forms of reverence that do not befit human beings.
One important historical observation is that the best generations — the Companions, their followers, and those who followed them in righteousness — knew the greatest scholars, ascetics, and worshippers among them, yet no reports indicate that they established personal ceremonies of allegiance to ascetics or made the kissing of their hands a permanent symbol.
This final point is among the strongest arguments of those who criticize such practices, because the existence of a reason to perform an act during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions, together with the absence of any obstacle preventing them from doing so, and then their refraining from it, carries significant weight according to a group of scholars of Islamic legal theory.
And Almighty Allah knows best .
With best regards,
Translated by the Smart Program
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