"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally." Quran (4:86)
Narrated Abu Huraira (r.a): The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Allah (swt) created Adam, making him 60 cubits tall. When He created him, He said to him, "Go and greet that group of angels, and listen to their reply, for it will be your greeting (salutation) and the greeting (salutations of your offspring." So, Adam said (to the angels), As-Salamu Alaikum (i.e. Peace be upon you). The angels said, "As-salamu Alaika wa Rahmatu-l-lahi" (i.e. Peace and Allah's Mercy be upon you). Thus the angels added to Adam's salutation the expression, 'Wa Rahmatu-l-lahi,' Any person who will enter Paradise will resemble Adam (in appearance and figure). People have been decreasing in stature since Adam's creation. Reference: Bukhari (3328).
1. It Is Sunnah to Initiate Greetings of Peace, It is Wajib (Compulsory) to Return the Greetings. If person A extends a Greetings of peace to person B, the latter must return the Greetings; otherwise, he is sinning. Among the many proofs that establish this ruling, is the saying of Allah(SWT) -
وَاِذَا حُيِّيۡتُمۡ بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوۡا بِاَحۡسَنَ مِنۡهَاۤ اَوۡ رُدُّوۡهَا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ حَسِيۡبًا
"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or ( at least) return it equally." Quran (4:86)
2. The Manners of Giving Greetings of Peace There are three ways of extending greeting of peace:-
"Assalaamu' Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuhu" Peace as well as the mercy and blessing of Allah upon you.
"Asslaamu' Alaikum Warahmatullahi " Peace and the mercy of Allah upon you.
" Assalamu 'Alaikum " Peace upon you.
Narrated 'Imran bin Husain: A man came to the Prophet (pbuh)and said: 'As-Salamu 'Alaykum (Peace be upon you).' [He said:] So the Prophet (pbuh)said: 'Ten good deeds[are written for him]' Then another came and he said: 'As-Salamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah (Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah).' So the Prophet (pbuh) said: 'Twenty good deeds.' Then another came and said: 'As-Salamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh (Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah, and His Blessings).' So the Prophet (pbuh)said: 'Thirty good Deeds.' References: At-Trimidhi (2689).
3. It is disliked to initiate A Greeting with " Alaikas- Salaam " Narrated Jabir bin Sulaim who said: I went to the Prophet (pbuh)and I said: ''Alaikas-Salam (upon you be peace)' so he replied: 'Do not say 'Alaikas-Salam rather say As-Salamu Alaik."
Abu Dawood Narration :- Prophet (pbuh) and said: Upon you be peace, Messenger of Allah! He said: "Do not say: Upon you be peace, for Upon you be peace is the salutation to the dead." Reference - At- Trimidhee (2722) & Abu- Dawood (5209)
4. If you are Greeting A large Gathering or If you doubt whether the person you greeted heard you, It is Recommended To Repeat the Greeting Three times.
Anas (r.a) related that the Prophet (pbuh) would repeat [Important] statements three times and that when he would come across a group of people, he would give them Greetings of peace three times. References: Fathul-Baaree(11/29).
5. It Is Sunnah To Initiate Greetings And Respond To Them Out Loud.
Thaabit Ibn Ubaid said, "I went to a gathering wherein 'Abdullah Ibn Umar Allah's Apostle was present, and he said, 'When you give greetings of peace, then let others hear you, for it is a blessed and good greeting.'" References: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad (1005).
6. It Is Sunnah To Make One's Greetings Inclusive Of Everyone-Of Those One Knows And Of those One Does not know.
A man once asked the Prophet (pbuh) "Which Islam is best" ? The Prophet (pbuh) said, " Feeding food (to others) and saying 'As-Salaam', both to those you know and to those you don't know." Reference:- Al-Bukhari (12).
7. It Is Recommended That The One Who Is Arriving Initiate The Greeting.
Revealed by many texts that it is Recommended for the person who is arriving and not the person who is stationary, to initiate the greeting. References:-Ahmad (1/407-408)
8. It Is Sunnah For The Rider To Greet
Abu Hurairah Allah's Apostle related that the Prophet (pbuh) said, "The rider greets(greets here means to Initiate greeting of peace) the Walker, the Walker greets the one who is seated, and the few greets the many." References: Bukhari (2632).
9. Greeting A Stranger Women ( i.e., A Women That One Is Not Allowed To Be In Seclusion With)
A Group of scholars says that if one come across a young, beautiful woman, it is not permissible to greet her, but if she is old it is permissible. Imam Ahmed -may Allah have mercy on him- held this last opinion. Saleh (r.a) said, "I asked my father, May one greet a [stranger] woman?" He said, "As for an older woman then no problem; but a young woman should not be prompted to speak". References - Bukhari (6248).
10. It Is Recommended To Greet Young Children
Anas Ibn Maalik Allah's Apostle reported that when he used to walk with Prophet (pbuh) and when they would pass by a group of children, the Prophet (pbuh) would extend greetings of peace to them. Reference - Bukhari (6248).
11.The Etiquette Of Greeting People Who Are Awake In A Place Wherein Some People Are Sleeping
Al- Miqdaad Ibn Al-Aswad Allah's Apostle related that when the Prophet (pbuh) 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. References - Muslim (2055).
12. Answering A Greeting From The People Of The Book With "Wa-Alaikum" (And The Same Upon You). Anas Ibn Malik Allah's Apostle, Related that the Prophet (pbuh) said, "When [someone from] the People of the Book gives you greeting of Peace, say, "Wa- Alaikum". References - Bukhari (6258).
13. When A Muslim Come Across A Gathering Which Consists Of A Mix Of Muslim And Disbelievers, It Is Permissible To Initiate Greeting Of Peace.
Narrated `Urwa-bin Az-Zubair: Usama bin Zaid said, The Prophet rode over a donkey with a saddle underneath which there was a thick soft Fadakiya velvet sheet. Usama bin Zaid was his companion rider, and he was going to pay a visit to Sa`d bin Ubada (who was sick) at the dwelling place of Bani Al-Harith bin Al-Khazraj, and this incident happened before the battle of Badr. The Prophet passed by a gathering in which there were Muslims and pagan idolators and Jews, and among them there was `Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul, and there was `Abdullah bin Rawaha too. When a cloud of dust raised by the animal covered that gathering, `Abdullah bin Ubai covered his nose with his Rida (sheet) and said (to the Prophet), Don't cover us with dust. The Prophet greeted them and then stopped, dismounted and invited them to Allah (i.e., to embrace Islam) and also recited to them the Holy Qur'an. References - Bukhari (6254).
14. If One Has A Islamic Excuse, He May Signal His Greeting Instead Of Uttering It. Asma bint Yazeed Allah's Apostle said, "The Prophet(pbuh)As Salaam to the women with his hand." An-Nawawee said, "The Understanding to be taken from this is that the Prophet(pbuh)Combined between waving and uttering the greeting." References - At-Trimidhee (2697) & Abu- Daawood (5204).
15. It Is Permissible To Greet Someone Who Is Praying, And The Latter May Respond With A Gesture (But Not With An Utterance Of The Greeting).
Once Jaabir (r.a) came across the Prophet (pbuh) While he was praying. Jaabir (r.a) gave him greeting of peace, and the Prophet (pbuh) Responded with a gesture. After he completed his prayer, the Prophet (pbuh) Called Jaabir (r.a) and said, "You gave me Greetings of peace earlier, and I was Praying." References - Muslim (540).
16. It Is Disliked To Greet Someone Who Is Relieving Himself.
It was narrated from Al-Muhajir bin Qunfudh that he greeted the Prophet (pbuh) with Salam while he was urinating, and he did not return the greeting until he had performed Wudu'. When he had performed Wudu' he returned the greeting. References - An-Nassai (38).
17. It Is Recommended To Extend Greetings Of Peace Upon Entering One's Home. Allah(swt) said, "But when you enter the houses, greet one another (the literal translation is, 'greet yourselves." Quran (24:61).
18. Conveying A Greeting On Behalf Of Others.
A Man once went to the Prophet (pbuh) and said, "Verily my father send you Greetings of peace", to which the Prophet (pbuh) answered, "Peace Be Upon You and Your Father." Reference - Abu-Daawood (5231).
19.Upon Entering The Masjid, One Should First Pray The Two Units Of Tahiyyatul-Masjid (two units one prays upon entering the masjid) And Then Greet Those That Are In The Masjid.
Abu- Hurairah (r.a) related that the Prophet entered the Masjid and then a man entered and prayed. The man then went and greeted the Prophet, the Prophet (pbuh) Returned his greeting and said, "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.." References - Bukhari (7939).
20. While The Imam Is Delivering The Friday Khutbah, It Is Disliked To Give Greetings Of Peace.
Abu Hurairah (r.a) related the Prophet (pbuh) said, "When the Imam is delivering the Khutba, and you ask your companion to keep quiet and listen, then no doubt you have done an evil act." References - Bukhari (934).
21. Extending Greetings Of Peace To People That Are known For Being Sinners Or Innovators.
The Prophet (pbuh) Said, "It is not permissible for a believing man to forsake the company (i.e boycott) his brother for more than three [days]." References - Bukhari (4418).
22. Before One Parted From A Gathering, It Is Sunnah For Him To Give Greeting Of Peace.
Abu- Hurairah Allah's Apostle reported that the Prophet (pbuh) Said, "When one of you ends up a gathering , let him extend greetings of peace. Then if he intend to stand (and leave), let him extend greeting of peace. The first is not more of right (duty) than the last. ( i.e. both are equally Sunnah)." References - At-Trimidhi (2861).
Rest Allah knows best.
Source: Quran, Sunnah, The Book of Manners