What is the ruling on welcoming guests (saying "Welcome") before greeting them with the salam?

The questioner:
Yes. Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh:
Peace be upon you.

The questioner:
May Allah reward you with good, O Shaykh. I have three questions, O Shaykh. It is the custom of people, especially the host, to say, "Welcome, O guests, welcome," and then say, "Peace be upon you." If it is the first time he greets them, he says "Welcome" and then says "Peace be upon you," offering the welcome before the salam.

The Shaykh:
I mean, upon entering.

The questioner:
Yes, Shaykh.

The Shaykh:
Does he invite them to the food? No, no, no, that did not happen. When he enters, he says, "Peace be upon you." It is not a question of love. When he enters, he says, "Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings." That is fine.

The questioner:
He says "Welcome" and then says, "Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy."

The Shaykh:
Unless he is saying, "Now, please, eat," meaning.

The questioner:
No, that is a different matter, O Shaykh. For example, O Shaykh, if I am the host.

The Shaykh:
We know that some Bedouins use this, saying, "Please, be welcome." Yes.

The questioner:
But starting with the welcome before the salam, O Shaykh.

The Shaykh:
O determination, O determination.

The questioner:
Is it not permissible or is it permissible, O Shaykh?

The Shaykh:
It is not permissible to start with the welcome.

The questioner:
I mean, is it disliked or forbidden, O Shaykh?

The Shaykh:
May Allah reward you. It is not permissible. The practice in the Sunnah is that this is an innovation. It is not good.

The questioner:
Even if it is like us, with the salam.

The Shaykh:
No, and he starts with the salam. This is the Sunnah.

The presenter:
So, the second question, O Shaykh? The people closest to Allah are those who start with them the salam.

The Shaykh:
Yes.