Parents and Children

Can You Kiss a Parent’s Head If They Don’t Pray?

Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan says it is not permissible to kiss the head of a parent who does not pray or only prays sometimes, because kissing expresses love. However, you must still treat them well in worldly matters, just without showing affectionate gestures like kissing.

August 31, 2016

Questioner:

Is it permissible to kiss the head of a parent if he (or she) only prays sometimes or doesn’t pray at all?

Shaykh Ṣāliḥ ibn Fawzān al-Fawzān:

This is not permissible because (kissing the head) is a type of (showing) love. Kissing him is from love, so it is not permissible to kiss him. However, this does not prevent you from treating him good, (meaning) to treat him good with regards to worldly affairs. As for manifesting love such as kissing the head or other than it, then it is not permissible.