If a man meets a group and wants to greet them and shake their hands, and among them is an elderly shaykh or a person of status and standing, does he start with him in the greeting, or does he start with the right?
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The questioner : The honorable shaykh says: If you meet a group and want to greet them and shake their hands, and among these people is an elderly shaykh or a person of status and standing in the middle of the group, do I start with him in the greeting, or do I start from the right? Then, if I greet him, what do I do? Do I greet the person on his right, or the person on my right?
The Shaykh : Yes, this issue is hidden from some people. If you meet someone or enter a place, start with the eldest, whether by shaking hands, offering tea or coffee, or something similar. Some people start with the right even if he is younger, and this is contrary to the Sunnah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had a miswak in his hand, and there were two men in front of him. He wanted to give it to the younger one, but it was said to him, "Give it to the elder, give it to the elder." This is different from the case where a young person is on his right and an elder is on his left, and he is sitting between them; in that case, he gives priority to the right, even if he is young. Accordingly, if he enters the gathering, he starts with the elder. Then, when he gives something, he starts with the person on his right, not the person on the right of the elder.
The Shaykh : Yes, this issue is hidden from some people. If you meet someone or enter a place, start with the eldest, whether by shaking hands, offering tea or coffee, or something similar. Some people start with the right even if he is younger, and this is contrary to the Sunnah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had a miswak in his hand, and there were two men in front of him. He wanted to give it to the younger one, but it was said to him, "Give it to the elder, give it to the elder." This is different from the case where a young person is on his right and an elder is on his left, and he is sitting between them; in that case, he gives priority to the right, even if he is young. Accordingly, if he enters the gathering, he starts with the elder. Then, when he gives something, he starts with the person on his right, not the person on the right of the elder.