Short answer
Yes, with conditions. Hugging a person of the same gender, such as a friend or relative, is allowed when it is free of desire, especially when meeting after a journey. Hugging close mahram family is fine. Hugging a non-mahram of the opposite gender is not allowed.
Embracing (mu'anaqa) between men, or between women, is permitted when clothed and free of desire; this is the relied-upon view following Abu Yusuf, as explained by al-Tahawi. Touching or hugging a non-mahram of the opposite sex is haram.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
A man asked the Prophet ﷺ whether, when he meets a friend, he should bow to him. He said no. He asked whether he should hug and kiss him. He said no. He asked whether he should take his hand and shake it, and he said yes. From this, Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Muhammad disliked hugging. Imam Abu Yusuf allowed it, and al-Tahawi explained that the dislike is for a hug with desire or with thin clothing, while a normal hug in full clothes is fine. The Companions are reported to have embraced when they returned from travel.
In practice:
- Same gender friends: a hug to greet, congratulate or comfort is allowed. Do not make it long or physical in a way that invites desire.
- Mahram family: hugging your parents, children, siblings, grandparents and others you can never marry is allowed with no desire.
- Spouse: of course allowed.
- Opposite gender non-mahram: not allowed, including cousins, in-laws such as a brother-in-law, classmates and colleagues. Aisha said the Prophet's ﷺ hand never touched the hand of a woman he was not allowed to, even when taking the pledge.
Saying no to a hug at work or school can feel awkward. A smile, a hand on your chest and a short 'I don't hug for religious reasons, but it's great to see you' usually works. See also shaking hands and who counts as mahram.
The evidence
Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2728
Grading to be checked... أينحني له قال لا قال أفيلتزمه ويقبله ...
"He asked, 'Should he bow to him?' He said, 'No.' He asked, 'Should he hug and kiss him?' He said, 'No.'"
The basis for the Hanafi discussion of embracing; handshaking is the main greeting.
Sahih al-Bukhari 4891
Sahih... والله ما مست يده يد امرأة قط في المبايعة ...
"By Allah, his hand never touched the hand of a woman in taking the pledge."
The Prophet ﷺ did not touch non-mahram women.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Karahiyya, section on touching and embracing. Abu Hanifa and Muhammad disliked embracing; Abu Yusuf allowed it.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hazr wa al-Ibaha, section on embracing. Al-Tahawi's reconciliation: disliked with desire or thin clothing, permitted otherwise.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.