Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 133

The Etiquette of Offering Greetings

باب آداب السلام

Here the focus shifts from the words of the greeting to its order: who offers salam to whom when people meet. The Prophet (peace be upon him) gave gentle guidelines, the rider greets the one walking, the walker greets the one sitting, the smaller group greets the larger, and the young greet the elder. These are not rules of rank but a quiet training in humility, so that the one in the seemingly higher position lowers himself first.

Read alongside this the teaching that the person nearest to Allah is the one who greets first. The etiquette is not about waiting to be honoured but about racing to honour others. Whoever begins the salam has begun the good.

Hadith 857

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏يسلم الراكب على الماشي، والماشي على القاعد، والقليل على الكثير” ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ وفي رواية للبخاري‏:‏ ‏"‏والصغير على الكبير‏"‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) 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).'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. The narration in Al-Bukhari adds: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The young should greet the elderly.''

In plain words

The one riding greets the one walking, the walker greets the one sitting, and a small group greets a larger one, with the young greeting the elder. A gentle order that trains humility in those who might think themselves above greeting first.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 857 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 14

Hadith 858

Abu Umamah Sudaiy bin `Ajlan Al-Bahili (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أبي أمامة صُدي بن عجلان الباهلي رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ “إن أولى الناس بالله من بدأهم بالسلام‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه أبو داود بإسناد جيد‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ ورواه الترمذي عن أبي أمامة رضي الله عنه‏:‏ قيل‏:‏ يا رسول الله، الرجلان يلتقيان، أيهما يبدأ بالسلام‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏أولاهما بالله تعالى‏"‏ قال الترمذي ‏:‏ حديث حسن‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The person nearest to Allah is one who is the first to offer greeting." [Abu Dawud, with a sound chain]. The narration in At-Tirmidhi is: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked: "O Messenger of Allah! When two persons meet, who should greet the other first?'' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The person nearest to Allah (i.e., one who is more obedient and therefore closer to Allah will say: As-Salam first)."

In plain words

The person nearest to Allah is the one who greets first; when two meet, the better and more obedient is the one who offers salam first. Beginning the greeting is itself a mark of goodness.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 858 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 15