FatwaFederal TerritoriesEthics, Remembrance & Supplication
IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-844: HUKUM MEMAKSA ORANG LAIN MELUTUT UNTUK MEMINTA MAAF
What is the ruling on forcing another person to kneel when apologising?
Short answer
Forcing another person to kneel when apologising is prohibited in Islam.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum (Umum)
- Topic
- Ethics, Remembrance & Supplication
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Forcing another person to kneel when apologising is prohibited in Islam. Kneeling as an act of submission is proper only towards Allah, and such coercion humiliates the person apologising and undermines his dignity. Mutual forgiveness is strongly encouraged, but it should be carried out harmoniously, and advice or rebuke can be given firmly without shaming anyone. Slightly lowering the body according to local custom to honour respected people is permitted, as long as it is not excessive to the point of resembling worship of anything other than Allah.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Oleh yang demikian, perbuatan memaksa orang untuk meminta maaf dalam keadaan melutut dan menundukkan badan atau kepala adalah dilarang kerana ia bertentangan dengan konsep bermaaf-maafan sesama manusia.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-844: HUKUM MEMAKSA ORANG LAIN MELUTUT UNTUK MEMINTA MAAF”, 9 May 2024. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/umum/5908-irsyad-hukum-siri-ke-844-hukum-memaksa-orang-lain-melutut-untuk-meminta-maaf. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-forcing-someone-to-kneel-apologise/