Ruling on kissing one’s eyes when hearing the name of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)

What is prescribed for the Muslim when hearing the name of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is to venerate him and show respect by sending blessings and salaams upon him. 

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “May his nose be rubbed in the dust, a man in whose presence I am mentioned and he does not send blessings upon me.” Narrated and classed as hasan by al-Tirmidhi, 3545; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 6. 

It was narrated from al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The miser is the one in whose presence I am mentioned and he does not send blessings upon me.” Narrated and classed as hasan by al-Tirmidhi, 3546; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 5. 

With regard to kissing one’s eyes when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is mentioned, perhaps what is meant by that is kissing the thumbs and placing them on the eyes. That is an innovation (bid’ah). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with this matters of ours will have it rejected.” Narrated by Muslim, 1718. And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Beware of newly-invented matters, for every newly-invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is a going astray.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4607; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood. 

This bid’ah is something that was invented by some of the Sufi orders (tareeqahs) and some Muslims followed them in that, thinking well of them and unaware that it is a misguided innovation. 

What the Muslim should do is to avoid innovations and beware of them; he should strive to follow the Qur’aan and Sunnah, without adding anything or taking anything away, for Allaah has perfected this religion: 

“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”

[al-Maa’idah 5:3]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not die until he had conveyed the message from his Lord in full. He did not leave anything good but he enjoined it upon us, and he did not leave anything bad but he forbade it to us and warned us against it. May the blessings and peace of my Lord be upon him. 

For useful information on bid’ah (innovation), please see the answer to question no. 10843. 

And Allaah knows best.