Does the disbeliever and the innovator initiate the greeting?

Abu Malik: I am now saying, let me give an example of this in reality. If a student of knowledge who has reached a high level, who knows the entry points of words and their meanings and the objectives and goals they lead to, is he permitted, when he asks, for example, and I—The questioner : not anyone else—is it permissible, Shaykh, may Allah bless you, if he knows that so-and-so is a disbeliever, like al-Muqawqis, for example?

The Shaykh : Like whom?
Abu Malik: Like al-Muqawqis, and that so-and-so among the people is like al-Muqawqis, or like Heraklius the Roman, or like Kisra the King of the Persians. Would it be permissible to address this person by starting the letter sent to him with the word "peace," or is it not permissible? And we also analogize from this: if it is known that so-and-so among the Muslims is famous for being, for example, not on the correct methodology, is it permissible to initiate with him or say to him "Peace be upon you," or "Peace be upon you," or "May you be well with peace, enter Paradise if Allah wills, if Allah guides you, abiding therein"? Is such a thing permissible or not permissible?

The Shaykh : In my belief, there is no disagreement among the scholars on this issue. People are of two categories in terms of reality, first, and regarding the answer to this question, second.
Abu Malik: Yes.

The Shaykh : A Muslim and a disbeliever. A Muslim and a disbeliever. So, whoever is a Muslim is greeted with the greeting, and whoever is not a Muslim, it is not permissible to greet him. This is well known in the hadith of al-Bukhari and Muslim in their authentic collections, from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: And the practical Sunnah of the Messenger confirms this verbal Sunnah of his, in that when he sent to the kings of the disbelievers, like Caesar and his like, he began with his saying: "Peace be upon him who follows the guidance." Therefore, it is not permissible in any way to write to one who is not a Muslim, beginning his letter with "Peace be upon you" or ending it with "Peace be upon you."
The criterion in this, as it came in Sahih al-Adab al-Mufrad of al-Bukhari, from the hadith of Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him): And they are only addressed with any phrase containing morning greetings and evening greetings, and wishing them well, and the like. As for if the Muslim intended to be addressed is an open sinner, then here is a matter of independent legal reasoning, in my belief, concerning the issue of boycotting. This issue was frequently discussed by the righteous Salaf, as they used to emphasize reminding people to boycott the innovator and not to greet him. I say that this is one of the means of Islamic education, meaning boycotting and what branches from it, and among that is what we are discussing, which is greeting the open sinner, while considering another rule. Here the importance of knowing the Shari'ah with its principles and rules becomes apparent, which those new to knowledge do not pay attention to and do not know, for the two reasons mentioned earlier: they have neither received knowledge directly from the scholars, nor engaged in long-term study of the books of the righteous Salaf. And this rule is considering harm and public benefit.
Abu Malik: Yes, this is very important.

The Shaykh : And it is considering harm and public benefit, and prioritizing the stronger public benefit over the weaker harm, and vice versa. Here, it is not permissible to adopt a general principle.
Abu Malik: Yes.

The Shaykh : That is, regarding addressing, regarding not greeting. We are often asked: So-and-so is my friend, but he does not pray. So-and-so is my relative, but he does not pray. So-and-so is an innovator. So-and-so is a Sufi. So-and-so is such-and-such. Do we greet him or not? He has been influenced by some Salafi words that I referred to earlier.
Abu Malik: Yes.

The Shaykh : And he imitates them completely, in a manner not suitable for the rule.
Abu Malik: Yes.

The Shaykh : So we tell him: Look, if you personally boycott him or do not initiate the greeting with him, does that educate him or distance him from education? Use your independent legal reasoning.
Abu Malik: Sound words.

The Shaykh : Whichever yields the benefit, do that.
Abu Malik: Prioritize it.

The Shaykh : And do not adopt a rule to follow. This, Professor, truly requires knowledge and requires an educator. Therefore, the word that you have heard me say repeatedly comes to mind: purification and education are necessary. Purification... I find it, but as for education,
Abu Malik: No.

The Shaykh : It is rare, very rare. Therefore, we must generalize this principle among all our brothers, that they do not take issues by their generalities. The scholars say, "There is no general statement that has not been specified," and what we are in is of this type.
Abu Malik: Yes.

The Shaykh : But, but what is to be done? Most people today are occupied and distracted by their desires, which are countless. And among the worst of desires is seeking knowledge to lead the gatherings.
Abu Malik: There is no power and no strength except by Allah.

The Shaykh : To lead the gatherings.
Abu Malik: It is indeed a calamity.

The Shaykh : And this is a reality, and Allah is the Helper. And perhaps I have answered you on this as well.