When is it permissible to leave off returning the salam to the people of innovation?

Question:
May Allah reward you. Honorable Shaykh, this questioner says: Many of the people of innovation (bid'ah) work with us, may Allah not increase them in number. When we meet them, they offer the salam to us. The question is: Do we return the salam to them? And is it permissible for us to initiate the salam to them?

Answer:
As for the people of innovation, if leaving off the salam to them serves as a deterrent for them so that they abandon the innovations, then this is required and obligatory. However, if this would increase their evil and increase their resentment, then you should advise them, forbid them from the innovations, and offer the salam to them. Yes.