Is It Bi’dah To Do Musafahah (Handshaking) After The Prayer In Mosques?

Is it bi’dah to do musafahah (handshaking) after the prayer in mosques?

Musafahah is a way of socialization that is practised by handshaking as an expression of friendship and peace. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) attached great importance to this practice (Bukhari, Isti’dhan, 27; Abu Dawud, Adab, 154) and encouraged people to do musafahah by saying, “If two Muslims meet and shake hands, their sins will be forgiven before they separate.” (Abu Dawud, Adab, 154) .

It is permissible in religious terms to shake hands after prayer as it conduces to getting closer, friendship, and tolerance among Muslims (Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, IX, 547). However, it is not permissible to interpret handshaking after prayers in or out of mosques as an indispensable part of establishing prayer in congregation and turn it into a collective ceremony.

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA