Is Giving Encouraging Comments Like “Good Job” to Someone Haram?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

If a person passes an exam and someone says to the person, “Good job, wow,” is this sinful because he is ascribing the credit for a blessing to someone other than Allah Most High?

Answer

Thank you for your question.

Shaykh Jamir mentions:

Numerous hadiths have been passed down that indicate the permissibility, recommendations, and prohibition of praising others.

In regards to prohibition, it is reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “If you see those who are excessive in their praise, then throw dust in their faces.” [Muslim]

As for its permissibility/recommendation, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said (both narrations are weak), “If anyone of you knows something good about his brother, then inform him, for indeed it increases the desire to goodness.” [Daraqutni] and “If a believer is praised his faith grows in his heart.” [Tabarani]. [Is It Wrong to Ask Others Not to Praise Me?]

Please see these all the details in the above links and links below as well:
Excessive Praise Of People
How to React to Praise?

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.