How does the one who is praying return the salam?

The questioner : This questioner says: How do I return the salam to someone who greeted me while I am praying?

The Shaykh : You return it to him with a gesture, saying like this: "Peace be upon you." You do not say "Peace be upon you" with your tongue, but with a gesture. Then, if he remains until you have finished your prayer, you return it to him with words. If he leaves, the gesture is sufficient.

The questioner : But do you greet the one who is praying or not?

The Shaykh : You look at the benefit. The one praying might be a layperson; if you greet him and say "Peace be upon you," he might return it with words and say...

The questioner : To you.

The Shaykh : Peace be upon you.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : And in that case, perhaps, I say perhaps, his prayer might be invalidated, whereas it is not invalidated if he is ignorant.

The questioner : Oh, welcome.

The Shaykh : But if he is a student of knowledge and knows the situation, and you greet him, he returns it with a gesture.