Ruling on returning the greeting to a visiting delegation that includes both Muslims and disbelievers
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There is a visiting delegation, and we do not know who is Muslim and who is a disbeliever, so how do we return the greeting?
Greet the one you think is a Muslim.For example: If the majority of the delegation in this company are Muslims, then greet them; if the majority are disbelievers, do not greet them.But some scholars say: If you say, "Good morning," or "Welcome, so-and-so," that is not a salam;Because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: (Do not initiate the salam with them), and the salam is a supplication, unlike "Welcome, so-and-so" or "Hello, so-and-so," which is a greeting but not a salam. So, if you fear that he is a Muslim and something will affect his feelings,So say to him: say "Welcome, so-and-so," and in that case, you will not fall into sin, even if it turns out that he is a disbeliever.But do you say: "Are you a Muslim? If so, I return the salam to you; if you are a disbeliever, I do not return the salam?" No, that is a mistake.
Greet the one you think is a Muslim.For example: If the majority of the delegation in this company are Muslims, then greet them; if the majority are disbelievers, do not greet them.But some scholars say: If you say, "Good morning," or "Welcome, so-and-so," that is not a salam;Because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: (Do not initiate the salam with them), and the salam is a supplication, unlike "Welcome, so-and-so" or "Hello, so-and-so," which is a greeting but not a salam. So, if you fear that he is a Muslim and something will affect his feelings,So say to him: say "Welcome, so-and-so," and in that case, you will not fall into sin, even if it turns out that he is a disbeliever.But do you say: "Are you a Muslim? If so, I return the salam to you; if you are a disbeliever, I do not return the salam?" No, that is a mistake.