Riyad as-Salihin 858

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The person nearest to Allah is one who is the first to offer greeting.”. The narration in At-Tirmidhi is: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was asked: “O Messenger of Allah! When two persons meet, who should greet the other first?” The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The person nearest to Allah (i.e., one who is more obedient and therefore closer to Allah will say: As-Salam first).”