The Greeting of a visitor: The visitor is to greet the host first:
"When you enter the houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allah (i.e. As-salaamu 'alaykum - peace be on you). blessed and good". (Q 24:61)
Greeting Non-Muslims: Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said:
"Do not salute the Jews and the Christians before they salute you ... "(Muslim).
It can be said that we Muslim should not greet all non-Muslim first.
Greeting a Gathering: Rasulullah (PBUH) said:
'When one of you arrives in a gathering, he should offer salutation 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).
Greeting on Arrival and Departure: Just as it is important to greet on arrival. it is equally important to greet on departure as the above hadith informs us.
How to greet a gathering of Muslims and Non-Muslims: The Prophet (PBUH) was reported to have passed by a mixed company of people which included Muslims, polytheists and Jews, and he gave them the salutation of peace (i.e. as salaamu alaykum (Bukhari). Hence, a Muslim can greet a gathering of Muslim and non-Muslims with the salaam.
Actions accompanying the Salaam: In a hadith narrated by Anas (RA)a man asked Allah's Messenger (PBUH): ''When a man meets a brother or a friend should he bow to him?" He (PBUH) said:
"No;"
The man asked whether he should embrace and kiss him? Allah's Messenger (PBUH) replied,
"No "
He asked whether he should hold his hand and shake it? Allah's Messenger (PBUH) replied,
'yes,” (At-Tirmidhi)
Thus hand shake is the only action that should accompany the utterance of the salaam. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) added:
"Two Muslim will not meet and shake hands without having their sins forgiven (by Allah) before they depart." (Abu Dawud)
(Minor sins only!). Embracing is allowed without kissing, especially on a return from a journey.
When Two Muslims meet: Rasulullah (PBUH) was asked: "When two persons meet. Who should say salutations first? The Prophet (PBUH) replied:
"The person nearest to Allah (i.e., one who is more obedient and therefore closer to Allah) will say as salaam first "(At Tirmidhi)
Repetition of Salaam: The greeting of salaam can be repeated several times without limitations. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
"When one of you meets a brother (in faith) he should salute him. Then if a tree or a wall or a stone intervenes between them and then he meets him again he should salute him.” (Abu Dawud)
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited