Responding to a Muslim with words other than the greeting of peace
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The fourth question of Fatwa No. ( 20845 )
Q 4: Your Eminence: Is it obligatory to respond to one who greets with words other than (As-salamu alaykum)? For example, if he says: "Ahlan" (Welcome), or "Marhaban" (Welcome), or "Kayfa haluk" (How are you?), or if he greets by gesturing with his hand, or with his eye, or if the driver greets with the horn
A 4: It is the Sunnah for a Muslim to greet his Muslim brother with the prescribed greeting, as mentioned in the prescribed words of the greeting of peace. The most complete form is for the Muslim to say: "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh" (Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings). This is indicated by what was narrated by Abu Dawud , al-Tirmidhi , and al-Nasa'i from 'Imran ibn Husayn , who said:Sunan Abi Dawud 5195Sahih (Al-Albani). It is obligatory for the listener to return the greeting with the same greeting or something better, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted: [An-Nisa 4:86]. There is no harm in a person greeting someone who is far away, or while he is in his car, by gesturing to him with his hand to let him know, while saying the prescribed greeting mentioned above. Similarly, there is no objection to a Muslim saying to his brother: "Hiyak Allah" (May Allah greet you), or "Ahlan" (Welcome), or "Kayfa haluk" (How are you?), or similar phrases that bring joy to his Muslim brother. However, these phrases must come after offering the prescribed greeting. As for limiting oneself to these phrases and leaving out the greeting, or greeting with the car horn (the horn), that is contrary to the Sunnah and has no basis. Therefore, it must be abandoned.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q 4: Your Eminence: Is it obligatory to respond to one who greets with words other than (As-salamu alaykum)? For example, if he says: "Ahlan" (Welcome), or "Marhaban" (Welcome), or "Kayfa haluk" (How are you?), or if he greets by gesturing with his hand, or with his eye, or if the driver greets with the horn
A 4: It is the Sunnah for a Muslim to greet his Muslim brother with the prescribed greeting, as mentioned in the prescribed words of the greeting of peace. The most complete form is for the Muslim to say: "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh" (Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings). This is indicated by what was narrated by Abu Dawud , al-Tirmidhi , and al-Nasa'i from 'Imran ibn Husayn , who said:
A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: Peace be upon you! He responded to his salutation. He then sat down. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Ten. Another man came and said: Peace and Allah's mercy be upon you! He responded to his salutation when he sat down. He said: Twenty. Another man came and said: Peace and Allah's mercy and blessings be upon you! He responded to him and said when he sat down: and blessings be upon you! He responded to him and said when he sat down: Thirty.
جاء رجل إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: (السلام عليكم)، فرد عليه السلام، ثم جلس، فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: (عشر) ثم جاء آخر فقال: (السلام عليكم ورحمة الله) فرد عليه فجلس، فقال: (عشرون) ثم جاء آخر فقال: (السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته) فرد عليه فجلس فقال: (ثلاثون)And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it
وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُمْ بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَاAnd success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.