Islamic Fatwas 1346 Fatwas Available 
Fatwa | Islamic Rulings
  Important categories:     Purification     Prayer     Fasting     Charity     Pilgrimage  
Friday 29 March 2024  
Search FatwaIslam:         • Advanced Search
• Preferences

Home » Social Dealings

Bowing as a Greeting Either in Karate or for Some Other Reason
Question:

We joined a karate club in America, and when our trainer told us that we had to bow to him after he bowed to us, we refused, explaining to him that we couldnt because of our religion. He accepted our excuse but then he said that we had to bow our heads at least. He said that since he began the greeting by bowing, we had to respond. What is the ruling in this issue?
Answer:

To greet somebody by bowing is unlawful, regardless whether that person is a Muslim or a disbeliever, and regardless whether you bow with our entire upper body or with your head only. This is because bowing is a kind of worship, and worship is for Allaah Almighty alone. May Allaah send peace and blessing upon Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts
Fatawa Islamiyah Vol. 8 Page 219
Other subjects of interest:

Marriage and Engagement
Family and Society
Divorce and Separation
Child Custody
Buying and Selling
Loans and Mortgages
Celebrations
Education
Non-Muslims
Inheritance


2024 FatwaIslam.Com
Fatwa - Islamic Rulings - Islamic Scholars