Notes to Aqdas, Sentence #76
Notes from the Authorized Translation
57. The kissing of hands hath been forbidden in the
Book. # 34
In a number of earlier religious Dispensations and in certain
cultures the kissing of the hand of a religious figure or of a
prominent person was expected as a mark of reverence and
deference to such persons and as a token of submission to
their authority. Baha'u'llah prohibits the kissing of hands
and, in His Tablets, He also condemns such practices as
prostrating oneself before another person and other forms of
behaviour that abase one individual in relation to another.
(See note 58.)
Earl Elder's Notes
In the East reverence for those who are considered great may be shown by kissing their hands, and religious leaders sometimes encourage this practice. Baha'u'llah in his book (al-Aqdas) forbids it.
Kitab-i-Aqdas Multilinear Translation table of contents
Front page of translation | Glossary of select Arabic terms