What is the ruling on shaking hands and exchanging greetings with the person next to you after the prayer?

The questioner : The questioner asks: What is the ruling on a man exchanging greetings with the people next to him after finishing a voluntary prayer or a prayer performed in the open?

The Shaykh : If a person makes this a regular practice, greeting the person next to him every time he concludes the prayer, this has no basis in the practice of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). We should be content with what was sufficient for them. In fact, when the Companions used to conclude the prayer, they would wave their hands to the right and left, saying, "Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy, peace be upon you and Allah's mercy." Yes, they would wave their hands, saying, "Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy, peace be upon you and Allah's mercy." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: And he (peace and blessings be upon him) turned and said, "Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy, peace be upon you." This indicates that the greeting after the prayer is, in reality, a greeting to the person next to you. However, if the person next to you is someone you know, and you wish to ask about his condition or the like, there is no blame on you for doing so.

The presenter : Welcome.

The Shaykh : The one with the microphone says that he, meaning the one with the microphone, is not satisfied with the time extending, and I agree with that as well because I need to perform wudu. So I ask you to excuse me from the rest of the lesson until next night. I also ask that you not prevent me from asking questions, because I would like to go and perform wudu so that I can stand for you, if Allah wills.