05-15-2007, 03:08 PM
Quote:A kiss, how does this express respect????????Ritual is a form of language. A kiss is a symbol, a type of language, and it represents an act of respect for the same reason that the word "chair" represents a structure on which one can recline -- because the people who use this symbol believe it does.
As I said above, I agree that it is wrong to make these things wajib -- if the Prophet did not do them we have no basis for insisting that they are a part of Islam. However, there is no harm in these rituals so long as people do not try to do haraam things with them.
salaams