Is there a spreading of the greeting; the greeting and shaking hands after finishing the prayer, whether it is obligatory or voluntary?
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The questioner : The honorable Shaykh says: Is there a spreading of the greeting, the greeting and shaking hands after finishing the prayer, whether it is obligatory or voluntary?
The Shaykh : The greeting after finishing the prayer is sufficient for the greeting of the prayer, because when a person greets the one on his right and the one on his left, he is greeting them. That is sufficient. However, it is customary and a matter of good character for a person, when he finishes the prayer—especially the voluntary prayer—to greet the one on his right or left. They consider this to be the perfection of good character and the perfection of affection and love. I see no harm in this, on the condition that a person does not believe that it is prescribed after the prayer. Rather, he feels that he is greeting because he is now free from shaking hands and asking about their condition. As for the beginning, he is occupied with the greeting of the mosque or with the regular voluntary prayer. Yes.
The Shaykh : The greeting after finishing the prayer is sufficient for the greeting of the prayer, because when a person greets the one on his right and the one on his left, he is greeting them. That is sufficient. However, it is customary and a matter of good character for a person, when he finishes the prayer—especially the voluntary prayer—to greet the one on his right or left. They consider this to be the perfection of good character and the perfection of affection and love. I see no harm in this, on the condition that a person does not believe that it is prescribed after the prayer. Rather, he feels that he is greeting because he is now free from shaking hands and asking about their condition. As for the beginning, he is occupied with the greeting of the mosque or with the regular voluntary prayer. Yes.