Spreading the Salam Among Students of Knowledge
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Question:
In his second question, he says: Honorable Shaykh, some of the brothers who are students of knowledge meet each other on the roads and in the markets, but they do not uphold the Sunnah, for they do not greet one another with the salam. So I ask you to direct a word on this matter?
Answer:
This is contrary to the Sunnah. The Sunnah is to offer the salam when meeting. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked, "Which of Islam is the best?" He said:Sahih Muslim 39 In the authentic collections, it is the easiest. These are among the most prominent characteristics of Islam. Which of Islam is better? That you Sahih Muslim 39 that comes to you. Among the great characteristics of Islam that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) has legislated, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "By Myself, by Myself" , your Lord... and in a large collection from a book of authentic hadith, from Abdullah ibn Salam (may Allah be pleased with him), he said.
Greet the one you know and the one you do not know, except if you know that he is a disbeliever; do not initiate the salam to him. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1602Sahih (Darussalam) As for if you do not know, say "As-salamu alaykum," and it is no burden on you regarding anyone. And if he greets you, say "Wa alaykum as-salam." It is not permissible to remain silent and turn away; this is harshness and is not befitting for a believer. Yes.
In his second question, he says: Honorable Shaykh, some of the brothers who are students of knowledge meet each other on the roads and in the markets, but they do not uphold the Sunnah, for they do not greet one another with the salam. So I ask you to direct a word on this matter?
Answer:
This is contrary to the Sunnah. The Sunnah is to offer the salam when meeting. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked, "Which of Islam is the best?" He said:
That you provide food and extend greetings to one whom you know or do not know.
تطعم الطعام وتقرأ السلام على من عرفت من لم تعرفThat you provide food and extend greetings to one whom you know
تُطْعِمُ الطَّعَامَ وَتَقْرَأُ السَّلاَمَ عَلَى مَنْ عَرَفْتَYou will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not truly believe until you love one another. Shall I inform you of something that, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread the salam among yourselves
لا تدخلوا الجنة حتى تؤمنوا ولا تضنوا حتى تحابوا أفلا يدلكم على شيء إذا فعلتم وتحاببتم أفشوا السبب بينكمGreet the one you know and the one you do not know, except if you know that he is a disbeliever; do not initiate the salam to him. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Do not precede the Jews and the Christians with the Salam
لا تبدؤوا اليهود والنصارى بالسلام
Source
فتاوى الحج ١٤١٠ هـ - ١٦ — archive.org (29:02)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.