What is the ruling on returning the greeting with the phrase "and upon them peace"?
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The questioner : What is the ruling on returning the greeting with the phrase "and upon them peace"?
The Shaykh : It is not valid to return the greeting in this form, because it does not address the one who greeted. The pronoun "them" refers to a third party, not to the person being addressed. The one who greets addresses the one being greeted, saying, "Peace be upon you." Therefore, the response must be in the form of direct address: "And upon you peace." If he says, "Upon them," it does not suffice. Furthermore, if he says, "Peace be upon them," it may cause something to arise in the heart of the one who greeted, since he said, "Peace be upon them" and not "Upon you." It is not permissible for a person to engage in what leads to hatred and enmity. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. The questioner says, "O honorable Shaykh."
The Shaykh : It is not valid to return the greeting in this form, because it does not address the one who greeted. The pronoun "them" refers to a third party, not to the person being addressed. The one who greets addresses the one being greeted, saying, "Peace be upon you." Therefore, the response must be in the form of direct address: "And upon you peace." If he says, "Upon them," it does not suffice. Furthermore, if he says, "Peace be upon them," it may cause something to arise in the heart of the one who greeted, since he said, "Peace be upon them" and not "Upon you." It is not permissible for a person to engage in what leads to hatred and enmity. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. The questioner says, "O honorable Shaykh."