Fatwa: # 17637
Category: Beliefs
Country: South Africa
Date: 4th March 2009

Title

I would like to know what is the ruling regarding bowing as a sign of respect during training for martial arts. Should I take my son out of his martial arts class if they refuse him leniency?

Question

I would like to know what is the ruling regarding bowing as a sign of respect during training for martial arts. Should I take my son out of his martial arts class if they refuse him leniency?

Answer

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful


Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

 

It is makrooh tahreemi (greatly reprehensible) to bow for any creation even though it might be out of respect. You should explain to the relevant authorities that it is forbidden to bow in Islam. If they refuse your son leniency, you should some alternate classes for him. It will not be permissible for him to continue with his martial arts class.

الفتاوى الهندية - (5 / 369)

 الانحناء للسلطان أو لغيره مكروه لأنه يشبه فعل المجوس كذا في جواهر الأخلاطي ويكره الانحناء عند التحية وبه ورد النهي كذا في التمرتاشي تجوز الخدمة لغير الله تعالى بالقيام وأخذ اليدين والانحناء

 

المحيط البرهاني للإمام برهان الدين ابن مازة - (5 / 278)

جئنا إلى الانحناء للسلطان أو لغيره، وإنه مكروه؛ لأنه تشبه بفعل المجوس.

 

فتح باب العناية بشرح النقاية - (5 / 271)

أمّا الانحناء للسلطان أو غيره فمكروهٌ،

 

الدرر المباحة للنحلاوي - (1 / 258)

مطلب في النّهي عن الانحناء في السلام:

وأما الانحناء في السّلام - وهو إمالة الرأس، والظهرِ، تواضعاً وحرمة - فلا خلاف في كراهته، عن أنس(1) رضي اللَّه عنه، قال: سمعتُ رجلاً يقول لرسول اللَّه صلى اللَّه عليه وسلم: يا رسول اللَّه: الرَّجلُ مِنّا يلقى أخاه، وصديقَه، أينْحني له؟ قال: "لا"، قال: أفيلتزمه؟ قال: "لا" قال: أيأخذه بيده، ويصافحه؟ قال: "نعم

 

العرف الشذي شرح سنن الترمذي - (3 / 409)

وأما الانحناء عند الملاقاة فمكروه تحريماً كما في فتاوى الحنفية

And Allah knows best

Wassalam u Alaikum

Ml. Ismail Moosa,
Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa

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