✅ Answer: There is no specific instruction in the narrations regarding this act, and it is better to adhere to the actions and instructions issued by the Infallible Ahl al-Bayt (AS) in performing religious practices. Furthermore, pay attention to the following narration, which mentions a prohibited act with two meanings in lexicons, one of which involves placing the hand on the chest in front of people:

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ یَعْقُوبَ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ وَ عَلِیِّ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِیمَ جَمِیعاً عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِیٍّ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ رَاشِدٍ عَنْ یَعْقُوبَ بْنِ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِیمَ عَنْ أَبِی الْحَسَنِ مُوسَی فِی حَدِیثٍ أَنَّ رَجُلًا قَصَّ عَلَیْهِ قِصَّةً طَوِیلَةً وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ وَ أَبْلَغَهُ سَلَامَ رَجُلٍ کَافِرٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ الرَّجُلُ إِنْ أَذِنْتَ لِی یَا سَیِّدِی کَفَّرْتُ لَکَ وَ جَلَسْتُ فَقَالَ آذَنُ لَکَ أَنْ تَجْلِسَ وَ لَا آذَنُ لَکَ أَنْ تُکَفِّرَ فَجَلَسَ

📚 *Kafi*, Vol. 1, p. 479

Translation: In a narration, a man was standing and told a long story to Imam al-Kadhim (AS) and relayed greetings from an unbeliever to Imam. Then the man said: 'My master, if you allow me, I will perform 'takfir' and sit down.' Imam said: 'I allow you to sit, but I do not allow you to perform the act of 'takfir'...'

✅ Explanation: In lexicons, two meanings for the word 'takfir' are mentioned, both of which are relevant to this narration:

1. *Qad kafara lahu* and *al-takfir*: 'To place one’s hand or both hands on the chest of someone.'

📚 *Lisan al-Arab*, Vol. 5, p. 150

Translation: In the book *Lisan al-Arab*, the meaning of 'takfir' is described as placing one or both hands on someone's chest.

2. *Al-takfir*: 'It is when a person bends and lowers their head, close to the position of bowing, as one does when showing respect to someone.'

📚 *Al-Nihaya*, Vol. 4, p. 188

Translation: In the book *Al-Nihaya*, the meaning of 'takfir' is described as a person bowing their head, lowering it close to the position of prostration, as one does when showing respect and reverence to someone.

In any case, performing this act—placing the hand on the chest during the greeting—requires a tradition from the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) to validate it. At the same time, based on one of the meanings of 'takfir' mentioned in lexicons, it is prohibited according to the *Kafi* narration. The great scholar Shaykh Hurr al-Amili, in his book *Wasail al-Shia*, has deemed it disliked (makruh) for people, even when greeting the Imam.