Bismillahir Rhamanir Rhahiim As Salaamu Alaikum WRWB!!! My question is in reference to the shaking of hands following the taslim after the obligatory salat. Also the raising of the hands and making du'a following the taslim of the like salat. Insha Allah may Allah (SWT) give us the strenght in gaining this knowledge. Jazak Allahu Khairun. As Salaamu Alaikum.
Praise be to Allah.
Neither of the two customs which you mention have any basis in Islamic texts. We
should follow the Sunnah and keep away from innovations in religion. The best
guidance is the guidance of Muhammad
(Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him); the most evil of things are those which are
innovated; every innovation is a bidah and every bidah is a going astray.
Know, may Allaah help me and you, that the reservation concerning this matter does
not have to do with shaking hands with a Muslim brother or raising the hands in duaa
to Allaah; it has to do with the timing of these two actions, following the prayer, and
making them a regular habit. If one were to raise ones hands between the adhaan and
the iqaamah, as is encouraged in the Sunnah, or shake hands when meeting ones
brothers on the way into or out of the mosque, or when seeing a brother next to one
after a long absence, there is nothing wrong with that at all. We ask Allaah to help us to
follow the Sunnah and to follow in the footsteps of His beloved, Muhammad
(Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him).
And Allaah knows best.