5. The Book of Greetings
The Excellence of Promoting Greetings
Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): "Which act in Islam is the best?" He (ﷺ) replied, "To give food, and to greet everyone, whether you know or you do not."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When Allah created Adam (ﷺ), He said to him: 'Go and greet that company of angels who are sitting there - and then listen to what they are going to say in reply to your greetings because that will be your greeting and your off-spring's.' Adam (ﷺ) said to the angels: 'As-Salamu 'Alaikum (May peace be upon you).' They replied: 'As-Salamu 'Alaikum wa Rahmatullah (May peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah).' Thus adding in reply to him: 'wa Rahmatullah (and the Mercy of Allah)' to his greeting."[Al- Bukhari and Muslim]. Al-Bara' bin 'Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded us to do seven things: to visit the sick, to follow the funeral (of a dead believer), to invoke the Mercy of Allah upon one who sneezes (i.e., by saying to him: Yarhamuk- Allah), to support the weak, to help the oppressed, to promote the greeting of 'As-Salamu 'Alaikum', and to help those who swear to do something to keep their oaths.[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hand is my life! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I inform you of something which, if you do, you will love one another? Promote greetings amongst yourselves."[Muslim]. 'Abdullah bin Salam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "O people, exchange greetings of peace (i.e., say: As-Salamu 'Alaikum to one another), feed people, strengthen the ties of kinship, and be in prayer when others are asleep, you will enter Jannah in peace."[At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan Sahih]. At-Tufail bin Ubayy bin Ka'b (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I used to visit 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) in the morning and accompany him to the market. 'Abdullah offered greetings of peace to every one he met on the way, be they sellers of petty goods, traders or poor people. One day when I came to him, he asked me to accompany him to the market. I said to him: "What is the point of your going to the market when you do not sell, nor ask about articles, nor offer a price for them, nor sit down with any company of people. Let us sit down here and talk." He replied: "O Abu Batn (father of a belly) - Tufail had a large belly - we go to the market to greet everyone we meet."[Malik, with a sound chain].
Words to be Used for Offering Greetings
'Imran bin Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: "As-Salamu 'Alaikum (May peace be upon you). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Ten (meaning the man had earned the merit of ten good deeds)." Another one came and said: "As-Salamu 'Alaikum wa Rahmatullah (May peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah)." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Twenty." A third one came and said: "As-Salamu 'Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu (May peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings)." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Thirty."[Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan]. 'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, "This is Jibril (Gabriel) who is conveying you greetings of peace." I responded: "Wa 'Alaihis-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu (May peace be upon him and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings)."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported the Prophet (ﷺ) used to repeat his words thrice so that the meaning thereof would be fully understood, and whenever he came upon a gathering of people, he would greet them. He would repeat Salam thrice.[Al- Bukhari]. Al-Miqdad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported in a long Hadith: We used to reserve for the Prophet (ﷺ) his share of the milk, and he would come at night and offer greetings in such a manner as did not disturb those asleep and was heard only by those who were awake. In fact, the Prophet (ﷺ) came and offered greetings as usual.[Muslim]. Asma' bint Yazid (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) passed through the mosque one day and there was a group of women (about ten of them) sitting in the mosque. He raised his hand to offer greetings.[At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan]. Narrated Abu Umamah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Those who are nearest to Allah are they who are first to give a salutation. [Abu Dawud] And At- Tirmidhi narrated its meaning and classified it as Hasan. Abu Juraiy Al-Hujaimi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: "Alaikas-Salamu ya Rasulallah! (Upon you be peace, O Messenger of Allah)!" He said, "Do not say: 'Alaikas-Salamu (Upon you be peace).' This is the Salam to the dead."[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi, who classified the hadith as Hasan Sahih].
The Etiquette of Offering Greetings
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, 'A rider should greet a pedestrian; a pedestrian should greet one who is sitting; and a small group should greet a large group (of people).''[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. The narration in Al-Bukhari adds: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The young should greet the elderly.'' Abu Umamah Sudaiy bin `Ajlan Al-Bahili (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The person nearest to Allah is one who is the first to offer greeting."[Abu Dawud, with a sound chain]. The narration in At-Tirmidhi is: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked: "O Messenger of Allah! When two persons meet, who should greet the other first?'' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The person nearest to Allah (i.e., one who is more obedient and therefore closer to Allah will say: As-Salam first)."
The Excellence of Greeting the Acquaintance Repeatedly
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)reported in the Hadith concerning the person who was at fault in performing his Salat (prayer): He came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and greeted him. The Prophet (ﷺ) responded to the greeting and said, "Go back and repeat your Salat because you have not performed the Salat (properly).'' He again performed Salat as he had prayed before and came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and greeted him. The Prophet (ﷺ) responded to the greetings (and repeated his words to him). This act of repeating (the Salat and the Salam) was done thrice.[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When one of you meets a brother (in Faith) he should greet him. Then if a tree or a wall or a stone intervenes between them and then he meets him again, he should greet him."[Abu Dawud].
The Excellence of Greeting Upon Entering the House
Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, "Dear son, when you enter your house, say As- Salamu 'Alaikum to your family, for it will be a blessing both to you and to your family."[At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan Sahih].
Greeting Children
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he passed by some children and greeted them. Then he said: "Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to do the same."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
A man sayinig salam to his wife or a mahram woman or non-mahrmam woman or women not fearing tribulation by them and giving them salam with this condition
Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: There was a woman (in another narration; an old woman) among us who would put beet root in a pot and add to it some ground barley. She used to cook them together. On returning from the Friday prayer, we would greet her and she would offer it to us.[Al-Bukhari]. Umm Hani (May Allah be pleased with her), the daughter of Abu Talib reported: I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) on the day of the conquest of Makkah. He was taking a bath and Fatimah was screening him with a cloth. I greeted him. And she mentioned the rest of the Hadith.[Muslim]. Asma bint Yazid (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) passed by us when we were with a party of women, and he greeted us with salam.[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi who classified it as Hasan]. This is the wording of Abu Dawud.In At-Tirmidhi: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) passed through the Masjid one day, and a group of women were sitting, so he motioned his hand with the salam.
Greeting Non-Muslims and the Prohibition of Taking Initiative in Doing So
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do not greet the Jews and the Christians before they greet you; and when you meet any one of them on the road, force him to go to the narrowest part of it."[Muslim]. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When the people of the Book greet you, respond with: 'Wa 'alaikum' (And upon you)".[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) passed by a mixed company of people which included Muslims, polytheists and Jews, and he gave them the greeting (i.e., saying As- Salamu 'Alaikum).[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
The Excellence of Greeting Upon Arrival and Departure
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When one of you arrives in a gathering, he should offer Salam to those who are already there, and he should also do so when he intends to depart. The first act of greeting is not more meritorious than the last.''[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].
Seeking Permission to Enter (Someone's House) and Manners Relating to It
Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Permission is to be sought thrice. If permission is granted, you may enter; otherwise, go back."[Al- Bukhari and Muslim]. Sahl bin Sa'd (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Seeking permission to enter (somebody's house) has been prescribed in order to restrain the eyes (from looking at something we are not supposed to look at)."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Rib'i bin Hirash (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man of Banu 'Amir tribe has told us that he had asked the Prophet (ﷺ) for permission to enter when he was at home. He said: "May I enter?" the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to the servant, "Go out and instruct him about the manner of seeking permission. Tell him to say: As-Salamu 'Alaikum (may peace be upon you). May I come in?" The man heard this and said: "As-Salamu 'Alaikum (may peace be upon you). May I come in?" The Prophet (ﷺ) then granted him permission and he entered.[Abu Dawud]. Kildah bin Al-Hanbal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I visited the Prophet (ﷺ) and I entered his house without seeking permission. So he said, "Go back and say: 'As-Salamu 'alaikum (may peace be upon you). May I come in?"'[Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].
Seeking Permission to Enter by Stating One's Name
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported in the course of his famous Hadith pertaining to Al-Isra' (the Ascension) that Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Then Jibril (Gabriel) ascended along with me to the nearest heaven and requested for the gate to be opened. He was asked: `Who is there?' He replied: `Jibril.' He was asked: `Who is with you?' He said: `Muhammad.' Then he ascended to the second heaven and requested for the opening of the gate. He was asked: `Who is there?' He said: `Jibril.' He was asked: `Who is with you?' He replied: `Muhammad.' In the same way he ascended to the third, fourth and all the heavens (i.e., until the seventh). At all of the gates he was asked: `Who is there?' He replied: Jibril.'''[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I stepped out one night and saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) walking by himself. I began to walk in the moonlit night. He turned round and saw me and asked, "Who is there?" I replied: "Abu Dharr."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Umm Hani (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) who was taking a bath while Fatimah was screening him. He asked, "Who is there?" I replied: "I am Umm Hani."[Al- Bukhari and Muslim]. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and knocked at the door (to seek permission). He asked, "Who is there?" I said: "I". He repeated, " I, I?!" as if he disliked it.[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Saying "Al-Hamdulillah" When Sneezing, Its Reply, and Manners Relating to Sneezing and Yawning
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah likes sneezing and dislikes yawning. When any one of you sneezes and says `Al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah)', it becomes obligatory upon every Muslim who hears him to respond with `Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah have mercy on you)'. Yawning is from the devil. When one of you feels like yawning, he should restrain it as much as possible, for the devil laughs when one of you yawns."[Al-Bukhari]. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When one of you sneezes he should say: 'Al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah),' and his brother or his companion should say to him: 'Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah have mercy on you).' When he says this he should reply: 'Yahdikum-ullah wa yuslihu balakum (may Allah guide you and render sound your state of affairs)."'[Al- Bukhari]. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When one of you sneezes and praises Allah (i.e., says Al-hamdu lillah), you should invoke Allah's Mercy upon him (i.e., say Yarhamuk-Allah); but if he does not praise Allah, you should not respond." [Muslim]. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When two men sneezed in the presence of the Prophet (ﷺ), he responded to one with "Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah have mercy on you)" and did not respond to the other. The latter said to him: "You invoked a blessing on this man but did not do so in my case." The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "He praised Allah (i.e., he said 'Al-hamdu lillah') but you did not."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sneezed, he would cover his mouth with his hand or a piece of cloth - thereby suppressing the sound.[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi]. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Jews used to intentionally sneeze in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) hoping that he would say to them: 'Yarhamukum-ullah (may Allah have mercy on you),' but he would respond with: "Yahdikum-ullahu wa yuslihu balakum (may Allah guide you and render sound your state of affairs)."[Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi]. Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When one yawns, he should put his hand over his mouth, otherwise the devil will enter."[Muslim].
The Excellence of Shaking Hands When Greeting Someone
Abu Khattab Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked Anas: "Did the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) use to shake hands?'' He said: "Yes.''[Al-Bukhari]. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the people of Yemen came, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The people of Yemen have visited you. They are the first to introduce the tradition of handshaking."[Abu Dawud]. Al-Bara' (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Two Muslims will not meet and shake hands without having their sins forgiven (by Allah ) before they depart."[Abu Dawud]. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man asked: "O Messenger of Allah! When a man meets a brother or a friend, should he bow to him?" He said, "No." The man asked whether he should embrace and kiss him? The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) replied, "No." He asked whether he should hold his hand and shake it? The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) replied, "Yes."[At-Tirmidhi]. Safwan bin 'Assal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A Jew asked his companion to take him to the Prophet (ﷺ); and when they came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), they asked him about the nine clear signs (given to Prophet Musa). Safwan narrated the long Hadith which concludes: They kissed the hands and feet of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: "We testify that you are a Prophet."[At-Tirmidhi] In a narration of Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) at the end of the narration of the Hadith ) he said: "We came near the Prophet (ﷺ) and kissed his hand."[Abu Dawud] 'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Zaid bin Harithah came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when he was in my house. Zaid knocked at the door. The Prophet (ﷺ) rose to receive him, trailing his garment. He embraced and kissed him.[At- Tirmidhi]. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, "Do not belittle any good deed, even your meeting with your brother (Muslim) with a cheerful face."[Muslim]. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) kissed his grandson Hasan bin 'Ali in the presence of Aqra' bin Habis. Thereupon Aqra' remarked: "I have ten children and I have never kissed any one of them." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) cast a glance upon him and said, "He who does not show mercy to others, will not be shown mercy."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].