Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 138

Greeting Non-Muslims and the Prohibition of Taking Initiative in Doing So

باب تحريم ابتدائنا الكافر بالسلام وكيفية الرد عليهم واستحباب السلام على أهل مجلس فيهم مسلمون وكفار

This chapter addresses how the greeting of peace is handled with those outside the faith. The guidance is specific: a Muslim does not initiate the salam to them, yet when they offer a greeting it is met with a measured reply, and a mixed gathering that includes Muslims may be greeted as a whole. The aim is to keep salam as a meaningful word of peace and faith rather than an empty formality.

Read these reports together and a balanced posture emerges, neither hostility nor erasing the distinct meaning of the believers' greeting. The detailed application of these directives is a matter for scholars; what concerns us here is the heart behind it, dignity preserved on both sides without dissolving what makes the Muslim greeting sacred.

Hadith 866

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

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏ لا تبدءوا اليهود ولا النصارى بالسلام، فإذا لقيتم أحدهم في طريق فاضطروه إلى أضيقه‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do not greet the Jews and the Christians before they greet you; and when you meet any one of them on the road, force him to go to the narrowest part of it." [Muslim].

In plain words

The Prophet instructed the Muslims not to be the first to greet the Jews and Christians of that context. The detailed application of such guidance belongs to scholars; here we simply note his words.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 866 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 23

Hadith 867

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏"‏إذا سلم عليكم أهل الكتاب فقولوا‏:‏ وعليكم” ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When the people of the Book greet you, respond with: 'Wa 'alaikum' (And upon you)". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

When the People of the Book offer a greeting, the reply taught is "and upon you." A brief, measured response is given for such situations.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 867 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 24

Hadith 868

Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أسامة رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم مر على مجلس فيه أخلاط من المسلمين والمشركين -عبدة الأوثان واليهود- فسلم عليهم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) passed by a mixed company of people which included Muslims, polytheists and Jews, and he gave them the greeting (i.e., saying As- Salamu 'Alaikum). [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

The Prophet passed a mixed group of Muslims, polytheists, and Jews and greeted them all together. It shows a shared gathering that includes Muslims may be greeted as a whole.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 868 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 25