Are we allowed to praise someone either in or not in there presence?
Question
Are we allowed to praise someone either in or not in there presence?
I read in a seerah that the prophet(saw) said something to the effect of praise is like a disease. However someone asked are you allowed to say thank-you and you said yes. However are you allowed to complement someone or say "that guy is a genius". Would that be allowed? What type of 'praise' was the prophet referring to when he associated it with a disease. If its possible can you give an example please
Answer
It is permissible to praise someone in their presence and in their absence. However, in the situation where one is praising a person in his presence, he should not excessively praise him as that may be a means of him becoming vain and proud.
It is narrated on the authority of Miqdaad ibn al-Aswad that Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] said, ‘When you are faced with those people who praise you excessively, then throw sand onto their faces.’ This Hadith refers to those who excessively praise a person or those who praise in order to gain something.
As for praising a person or complementing a person on account of his good work, then this is permissible and allowed in the Shari’ah, for example, saying ‘Thank you’ or ‘Well done’. Nabi [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] on numerous occasions had also complimented and praised various Sahaaba [radhiallaahu anhu].
We are unable to locate the ‘Hadith’, ‘Praise is like a disease’. Kindly provide a reference for this Hadith.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
- Answered by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
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