2.7. Recommendation for the one arriving to initiate greetings

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates a man passed by the Messenger of Allah who was seated in a gathering and said: 'as-salaamu 'alakum. ("Peace be upon you")' The Prophet said: Ten good deeds. Another man passed by and said: 'as-salaamu 'alakum wa rahmatullaah ("Peace and the Mercy of Allah be upon you").'The Prophet said: Twenty good deeds. Then another man passed by and said: 'as-salaamu 'alakum wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh ("Peace and Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon you")The Prophet said: Thirty good deeds. (Related by al-Tirmidhi)

2.8. Prophetic practice for rider to greet pedestrian; the pedestrian to greet the sedent; the few to greet the many; and the junior to greet the senior

The Messenger of Allah said: The rider greets the pedestrian. The pedestrian greets the sedent and the few greet the many. (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

And in another narration: The young one greets the old. The passer-by greets the one who is seated and the few greets the many. (Related by al-Bukhari)

Failure to follow order of precedence is not sinning but neglect of the recommended. If all circumstances are similar the one to initiate greetings is the better.

One should also renew greetings when temporarily separated.

The Messenger of Allah said: When one of you meets his brother let him give the Islamic greetings. If they become separated by a tree or wall or rock then he should greet him when they meet again. (Related by Abu Dawud)

2.9. Permissibility to greet the old unrelated woman not the young

Imam Ahmad's son, Saleh said: "I asked my father may one greet a woman?"
He said: "As for the older woman, then no problem; but a young woman should not be prompted to speak."

2.10. Recommendation to greet young children

Anas ibn Malik reported that when he used to walk with the Prophet and they would pass a group of children, the Prophet would extend greetings of peace upon them. (Related by al-Bukhari)

This is to enourage good manners amongst the young as well as to accustom oneself with humbleness and gentleness. A child who has not reached puberty is not obliged to respond to greetings, but according to the majority of scholars an adult is obligated to respond to the greetings of a child.

2.11. Etiquette of greeting people amongst those sleeping

Al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad reported that when the Prophet would come at night, he would give a greeting that would not arouse the one in slumber but would be audible to one who was awake. (Related by Muslim)

2.12. Prohibition to initiate Islamic greetings to the People of the Book

The Prophet said: Do not initiate Islamic greetings to the Jews and Christians and if if you meet one of them on the road, let them take the narrowest part.

One may greet them with other expressions such as 'Good morning' and the like.

2.13. How to answer the greetings of the People of the Book

Anas ibn Malik narrates that the Messenger of Allah said: When the People of the Book greet you with peace say, wa 'alaykum ("And upon you too") (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Some scholars opine that one can give the full response of wa 'alaykum as-salaam if one is certain that the greeting is not the similiar sounding "Death upon you" as was said by some of the Jews at the time of Prophet .

2.14. Initiating Islamic greetings to a mixed group of Muslims and non-Muslims

It was said to Imam Ahmad, "We have dealings with the Jews and Christians and we go to their homes. When we go to them, they sometimes have a group of Muslims with them. Should we give them Islamic greetings?" He said, "Yes, but you should intend your Islamic greetings for the Muslims."

2.15. Impermissability to greet with gestures unless with a valid excuse

Jabir narrates that the Messenger of Allah said: Do not greet with the greeting of the Jews. Their greeting is with their heads, their hands and with a gesture. (Related by al-Nasa`i)

Asma bint Yazeed said: The Prophet sent salutations to the women with his hand. (Related by al-Tirmidhi)

Hafiz Ibn Hajar said: "The prohibition of greeting with a gesture is specific to those that have the ability, both practically and according to the Shariah to utter the greeting. If one is busy or unable to utter the greeting - for example, one is busy with prayer, one is too far away from the other person, one is a mute or the person is deaf - then it is legislated for him to extend the greeting with a gesture instead."

2.16. Permissibility to greet the one praying and to respond with a gesture

Suhaib narrates, "I passed by the Messenger of Allah while he was praying and I gave him the Islamic salutations and he returned the greeting with a gesture." (Related by Abu Dawud)

The gesture can take place with a finger, hand or nod of the head as has come in other narrations.

2.17. Permissibility to greet someone who is reciting the Quran.

There is no authentic proof in the Shariah that indicates it is forbidden to greet a person who is busy reciting the Quran.
It is permissible to initiate greetings of peace to one who is reciting the Quran, and the reciter must return the greeting.

2.18. Dislike to greet someone who is relieving himself

Al-Muhaajir ibn Qunfudh related that he went to the Prophet , who at the time was urinating. Al-Muhaajir greeted him, but the Prophet did not respond until he performed ablution.
The Messenger of Allah then excused himself, saying, “I indeed disliked that I should remember Allah ‘Azza wa Jall (The Most Mighty And Exalted) except while being in a state of purity.” (Related by Abu Dawud)