Ask a Shia

[Karbala]

Lets make one thing clear. Kissing holy objects is not Waajib or necessary nor is it Sunnah. If you were to look at shia books like Mafatih al-Jinan or Adab al-haramain you will not find kissing a part of any ritual recommended. Kissing the Quran or gates of Masjid nabawy is something personal. But it isn't wrong either simply because the Prophet (saW) never did it.

What is the benefit of kissing anything holy?

It sets an atmosphere of reverence. It shows the importance of the object kissed. It also allows an expression of holy connection with the object.


Reverence may be shown in many ways e.g. Kissing, touching, rubbing or bowing.


Here are a few examples.


<b>[shakir 12:100] And he raised his parents upon the throne and they fell down in prostration before him, </b>


Prophet Yusufs (as) brothers prostrated to him in reverence. But the Prophet did not object.


<b>Volume 7, Book 72, Number 750: </b>


Narrated Abu Juhaifa:


I came to the Prophet while he was inside a red leather tent, and I saw Bilal taking the remaining water of the ablution of the Prophet, and the people were taking of that water and rubbing it on their faces; and whoever could not get anything of it, would share the moisture of the hand of his companion (and then rub it on his face).


The sahaba were showing reverence to the water the Prophet used during wudu by rubbing it on themselves. Again the Prophet did not object.


Imam Malik ibn Anas used to kiss old buildings and remains of old foundations.


http://muslim-canada.org/malikischool.html


Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal was asked about touching and kissing the minbar of the Prophet for the blessing and about seeking the blessing by visiting the grave of the Prophet. He responded by saying: "This matter is not prohibited," as was narrated by ^Abdullah, the son of Imam Ahmad, in his book titled Al­^Ilal wa Ma^rifat ur-Rijal.


There are many other examples with Sahaba and other early generation muslims showing reverence to holy things.