Title: Bowing at Shrines Question: I heard and believe also that we should only bow in front of Allah. Last year when I went to Ajmer, people were bowing at Khwaja Gareeb Nawas Durgah and kissing the floor or the walls. I was asked to bow also by people who work at the durgah , but I didn't want to do it and didn't do it because I felt it wrong. I do have respect for Khwaja Gareeb Nawas and I do believe that he was a holy person. So, is bowing here a sin? Khan India Answer: A Muslim bows his head in reverence and worship only to the Almighty. This is precisely the point, which distinguishes the Abrahamic creeds from most of the other religions in the world. In view of this fact, I consider all acts of showing reverence at graves as strictly against the teachings of Islam and strongly recommend all Muslims to refrain from such show of reverence. Bowing one's head at a dead person's grave, with the intention of showing reverence is indeed a sin, according to my understanding of Islam. With best regards, Moiz Amjad June 6, 2002