Adab (gesture)
Adab (
Nastaleeq), आदाब (Devanagari)), from the Arabic word Aadaab (آداب), meaning respect and politeness, is a hand gesture used in the Indian subcontinent, by the Urdu-speaking while greeting.[1][2]
It involves raising the right hand in front of the eyes with palm inwards, while the upper torso is bent forward.
The gesture is associated with the
Muhajir people of Pakistan.[3]
History
Since the religious greeting of Muslims i.e. "
Nizam of the region stated: "Hindus and Muslims are like my two eyes ... How can I favor one eye over the other?"[5] In some localities of India and Pakistan, the phrase and gesture has decreased in use because it is perceived as insufficiently Islamic compared to other greetings, though it is preferred by many who still use it due to its inclusive nature.[1]
Description
The gesture involves raising the right hand towards the face with palm inwards such that it is in front of the eyes and the finger tips are almost touching the forehead, as the upper torso is bent forward.Nastaleeq: آداب عرض ہے, Devanagari: आदाब अर्ज़ है), meaning "I offer my respects to you", or simply just "aadab".[5]
It is often answered with the same or the word "tasleem" is said as an answer or sometimes it is answered with a facial gesture of acceptance.
In popular culture today, the adab is often associated with the courtly culture of the Muslim Nawabs.
See also
- Civilian salutes
- Greetings
- Hindu-Muslim unity
References
- ^ a b c "Adaab in a Time of Allah Hafiz". Inside Islam. 2012-05-01. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
- ISBN 978-90-272-9314-5.
- ISBN 978-93-5229-420-6.
Lucknow has been famous for its Urdu poets and poetry, tehzeeb especially ganga-jamuni tehzeeb, adab-o-akhlaq, kathak, muharrum, cousine and handicrafts.
- ^ Sahih Muslim, Hadith # 2167 (According to International Numbering)
- ^ ISBN 9780313396977.
- ISBN 0-8122-3328-X.