The Book of Greetings

A man asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam): “Which act in Islam is the best?” He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, “To give food, and to greet everyone, whether you know or you do not.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When Allah created Adam (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), 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 (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.”.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.”.

I used to visit Abdullah ibn Umar (radiyallahu anhum) 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.”.

A man came to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and said: “As-Salamu Alaikum (May peace be upon you). The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) responded to his greeting and the man sat down.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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 (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) responded to his greeting and the man sat down.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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 (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Thirty.’.”

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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).’.”

Anas (radiyallahu anhu) reported the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.

We used to reserve for the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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 (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) came and offered greetings as usual.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: Those who are nearest to Allah are they who are first to give a salutation. And At- Tirmidhi narrated its meaning and classified it as Hasan.

I saw the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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..

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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).’. The narration in Al-Bukhari adds: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The young should greet the elderly.”

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).”

He came to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and greeted him. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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 (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and greeted him.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) responded to the greetings (and repeated his words to him). This act of repeating (the Salat and the Salam) was done thrice.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.”.

“Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to do the same.”.

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.

I went to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) passed by us when we were with a party of women, and he greeted us with salam. This is the wording of Abu Dawud. In At-Tirmidhi: that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) passed through the Masjid one day, and a group of women were sitting, so he motioned his hand with the salam.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.”.

Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When the people of the Book greet you, respond with: ‘Wa ‘alaikum’ (And upon you)’.”

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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).

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Permission is to be sought thrice. If permission is granted, you may enter; otherwise, go back.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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).”.

A man of Banu Amir tribe has told us that he had asked the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) for permission to enter when he was at home. He said: “May I enter?”

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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 (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) then granted him permission and he entered.

I visited the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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?’’.”

‘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..

I stepped out one night and saw the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.”.

I went to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) who was taking a bath while Fatimah was screening him. He asked, “Who is there?” I replied: “I am Umm Hani.”.

I went to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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).’”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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.”.

When two men sneezed in the presence of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), 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 (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, “He praised Allah (i.e., he said ‘Al-hamdu lillah’) but you did not.”.

Whenever the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sneezed, he would cover his mouth with his hand or a piece of cloth – thereby suppressing the sound.

The Jews used to intentionally sneeze in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) 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).”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one yawns, he should put his hand over his mouth, otherwise the devil will enter.”.

I asked Anas: “Did the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) use to shake hands?” He said: “Yes.”.

When the people of Yemen came, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The people of Yemen have visited you. They are the first to introduce the tradition of handshaking.”.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Two Muslims will not meet and shake hands without having their sins forgiven (by Allah) before they depart.”.

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 (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, “No.” He asked whether he should hold his hand and shake it? The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Yes.”.

A Jew asked his companion to take him to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam); and when they came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), 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 (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and said: “We testify that you are a Prophet.”

“We came near the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and kissed his hand.”

Zaid ibn Harithah came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) when he was in my house. Zaid knocked at the door. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) rose to receive him, trailing his garment. He embraced and kissed him.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “Do not belittle any good deed, even your meeting with your brother (Muslim) with a cheerful face.”.

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) kissed his grandson Hasan ibn Ali in the presence of Aqra ibn Habis. Thereupon Aqra remarked: “I have ten children and I have never kissed any one of them.” The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) cast a glance upon him and said, “He who does not show mercy to others, will not be shown mercy.”.