Just as the face is the index to the mind, in the same way the words of greetings, which are exchanged amongst people, indicate the spiritual role of a society. The gestures and the expressions of salutations are therefore the indicators of the ideals for which the society stands.

The Holy Quraan has enjoined upon the believers to greet each other. Allah says: “When you are greeted with a greeting, greet you with better than it or return it. Lo! Allah takes count of all things.” (4:86) And at other places, directs the believers: “O you who believe! Enter not houses other than your own without first announcing your presence and invoking peace upon the folk thereof. That is better for you, that you may be heedful.” (24:27) 

That was why when Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) came to Madina, he instructed his followers: “Greet each other with Salaam and feed among yourselves and perform Salaah when people are fast asleep so that you may enter the Paradise in safety”. (Tirmidi, p.409) 

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Omar (radi Allahu anhuma) had made it a habit to go to the market and greet every shopkeeper, every beggar and almost every person he met there. A person said to him: “You come to the market but we never see you bargaining nor purchasing not sitting somewhere. Why do you come to the market at all?” He said: “I come here only to greet people with Salaam.” Whenever anyone greeted him, he reciprocated with an additional phrase. (Adaabul-Mufrad) 

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra (radi Allahu anhu) reported that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Allah created Adam (alaihis salaam) in his form, with a height of sixty arm-length. Allah ordered Adam (alaihis salaam) to go to the Angels and greet them and note their reply. Sayyiduna Adam (alaihis salaam) went to the Angels and greeted them saying, ‘Assalam-o-Alaikum’. The Angels replied, ‘Assalam-o-Alaika Wa-Rahmatullah’”. This was fixed the standard greeting for the children of Adam (alaihis salaam).  

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: “You shall not enter Paradise so long as you do not affirm belief (in all those things which are the articles of faith), and you will not be a believer unless you love each other. Should I not direct you to a thing, which, if you do, will foster love amongst you: (i.e.) give currency to the practice of paying salutation to one another by saying ‘As-Salaam-o-Alaikum’”. (Muslim) 

Abu Umaamah (radi Allahu anhu) reported that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: “He who takes initiative in greeting his brother, deserves more the mercy of Allah.” (Tirmidi) 

Sayyiduna Abdullah Bin Mas’ood (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Glorious Prophet of Islam (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: “One who takes initiative in greeting, is free from false pride and arrogance”. (Bay’haqi) 

Sayyiduna Anas (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Son, when you enter your house, greet them with Salaam as it will bring Allah’s blessing for all of you”. (Tirmidi) 

Sayyiduna Jaabir (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Glorious Prophet of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Salaam should be before any conversation and don’t invite anyone to food unless he greets with Salaam.” (Tirmidi) 

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra (radi Allahu anhu) reported that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: “The rider should greet the pedestrian and the pedestrian the one who is seated and a small group should greet a big group.” (Muslim)  

It is also commanded to give a very enthusiastic response to the salutation. Allah’s Messenger (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: “And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet with one better than it, or return it”. It implies that when a person is greeted by a person with As-Salaam-o-Alaikum, he should at least respond to him with Wa-Alaikum-us-Salaam, but it is better to extend it by the addition of the words Wa-Rahmatullah-e-wa-Barakatuhu. This greeting is a prayer for the good of one another. These gentle words of greetings: As-Salaam-o-Alaikum, epitomize the feeling of a Muslim, his aspiration in life. He blesses his brother with peace. Moreover, it reflects the sense of equality in the Muslim society. These words of greeting are exchanged amongst the Muslims irrespective of their social status.  

If the reply is delayed without any valid reason, it will be counted as a sin for which the defaulter has to submit his Taubah. We should not greet an apostate with the word “Salaam” as Salaam is a sign of respect and showing any respect to the apostate is an apostasy itself.

We should not greet anyone with Salaam while he is answering the call of nature or singing or bathing nude in the bathroom or engaged in absurd games. The Salaam, which is written in a letter, should also be reciprocated orally or in writing. It is unlawful to greet someone in the form of a salute. Equally unlawful is to reciprocate a Salaam by bowing down head or with the gesture of the eyes.