There are several Hadiths dealing with Islamic greetings and the proper manners that need to be observed in exchanging such greetings. We have detailed and repeated guidance from the Prophet (peace be upon him) on this aspect, which suggests that it was particularly important.
Who should be the one to start a greeting exchange? This is explained in a large number of Hadiths, many of which give the same order, but each adds one aspect or another to make each one different from the rest. This suggests that the Prophet explained this order on several occasions, and added something extra on each as suited that particular occasion. To remind ourselves of the proper order we may quote a Hadith in which Abu Hurayrah reports: “God’s messenger (peace be upon him) said: ‘A young person should offer greetings to an older one, and a walking person to one seated, and the fewer group to the larger one.” (Related by Al-Bukhari and Al-Tirmidhi). The first point emphasizes the consistent value Islam attaches to seniority. Although the question here is seniority of age, scholars extend this to seniority of Islamic standing. Thus, at the time of the Prophet, a newcomer to Islam would be the one to offer greetings to one who embraced Islam earlier. Similarly, one who is known to be dedicated to serving the Islamic cause is shown respect by people when they are the ones to start by greeting him.
The other two points are perfectly natural. The one who is walking is more alert to what is around him. Thus, when he sees someone sitting and he is about to reach him, he begins the exchange of greetings. Similarly, if two people are walking together and they are met by a group of three or four people, the smaller group should be the one to start.
Should greeting be always verbal? This is the standard form. However, sometimes, a signal greeting may be sufficient. A Hadith that we will discuss later, as its subject matter is unrelated to the present discussion, mentions that the Prophet indicated his greeting to some women with a movement of his head. However, this is rare. Indeed, some reports suggest that the Prophet’s companions were not keen on signaled greetings. Ata’ ibn Abu Rabah, a scholar of the generation that followed the Prophet’s companions, i.e. tabieen, says: “They used to dislike making a signal with one’s hand as a form of greeting.” (Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad) The pronoun “they” in this statement refers to the Prophet’s companions. Although we have the report that the Prophet sometimes used a signal greeting, it was merely to indicate its permissibility, but the general rule is to make one’s greeting verbal, because it serves the purpose better.
When we see some people whom we wish to greet, we should make our greeting loud enough to enable them to hear it and reply to it. Thabit ibn Ubayd reports: “I came to a group of people among whom was Abdullah ibn Umar. He said to me: ‘If you offer a greeting, make it loud enough to be heard. A greeting of peace, i.e. Assalamu alaikum, is blessed, goodly and enjoined by God.’” (Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad).
Two important points are made here. The first is that one should make one’s greeting loud enough so as to be heard by those to whom it is offered. Some people are too shy, particularly when they are young. They whisper their greeting, particularly when they see people who command general respect in society. Abdullah ibn Umar, a highly learned companion of the Prophet, urges such people to say their greetings loud enough. Nothing is perhaps more encouraging to a shy person than knowing that when he says Assalamu alaikum, he is actually offering a blessed and goodly greeting. Moreover, it is the greeting enjoined by God and taught to us by the Prophet.
We have learned over the last couple of weeks that the Islamic greeting, which means, “peace be to you”, actually uses one of God’s names, Salam, which also means peace. Thus, it generates a generally peaceful atmosphere in society. The more frequently it is used, the more people feel closer to one another. This is a point the Prophet clearly emphasized and his companions acted upon. Al-Tufayl ibn Ubayy ibn Kaab mentions that he used to go to Abdullah ibn Umar and they both would go to the market place. “When we were in the market, Abdullah ibn Umar would offer the greeting of peace, i.e. Assalamu alaikum, to everyone including a person who is selling odds and pieces, a man with a small stall, and a poor person. Al-Tufayl reports: “I once went to Abdullah ibn Umar and he told me to accompany him to the market place. I said: ‘What business do you have in the market when you never stop at a shop or a stall, ask about any merchandize, buy anything or sit with anyone. Would it not be better to sit and we have our conversation here?’ He said to me: ‘You fat man! We only go to the market place so that we offer the greeting of peace to people we find there.’”(Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Malik and Al-Bayhaqi).
It should be remembered that Abdullah ibn Umar was distinguished as a scholar by his diligence in following the Prophet’s Sunnah in all situations. The fact that he made a point of going frequently to the market to greet people and have them returning his greeting reflects his genuinely strong desire to act on the Prophet’s advice. Since the Prophet has urged his companions to spread the greeting of peace, Abdullah ibn Umar takes his advice literally and goes to the market place to greet people. In this Hadith, the reporter, Al-Tufayl who was born before the Prophet’s death and his father was perhaps the best reciter of the Qur’an among the Prophet’s companions, questions him about his frequent visits to the market. He points out that Abdullah really had nothing of the normal reasons that people have to go to the market. He was not after buying anything. He did not even stop to look for anything that he might be in need of. Yet he would go to the market and greet everyone there, particularly people who are too humble to expect a greeting from anyone.
Abdullah’s answer was friendly and educative. He refers to the fact that Al-Tufayl was fat, but only in a friendly way, and makes his purpose clear. He had no need to go to the market other than greeting people. This implements the Prophet’s advice and allows a friendly social atmosphere to spread. Besides, it earns a dual reward from God: One for following the Prophet’s advice and the other for the greetings offered.
