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Not To Stand is Better
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Question:
What is the ruling on standing for a person who enters out of respect for him and his status?
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Answer:
If the person who enters really deserves respect, then you may stand up to welcome him, if not, then it is not allowed to stand for him. Next, even though we say that you are permitted, this does not mean that the act of remaining seated is equal to that of standing - the former is better, better because it was practiced during the life of the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam). The Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) would rise for him: they knew that he disliked it. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) stood for a delegation that arrived from Thaqif, which proves that there is no harm in standing in such a situation, but without such circumstances that it is better not to. If people were to make it a habit not to stand, however, that would be much better. But in circumstances such as those of today, where a person of status feels insulted that people should not stand to welcome him when he approaches, ten there is no harm in standing to greet him.
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Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen
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Fatawa Islamiyah Vol. 8 Page 224
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