Fatwa #1450126 August 2006United States of America
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