Is it permissible to greet everyone one passes in the market, given their large numbers?

Question : May Allah reward you with good. If one passes through markets or places where he finds people all along the road, and he greets every man he passes.

Answer : Yes, indeed, there is no doubt that this is the Sunnah (recommended practice) now. Suppose we said to you, for example, that every man you meet will give you ten dirhams, and every man gives you ten dirhams; would you be satisfied or not? You would say, let me go and leave. So, the salam (greeting of peace): every time you greet a person, you receive ten good deeds.