If I am listening to the radio and the speaker on the radio says the greeting, what is the ruling on responding if he says, “As-salamu alaykum”?
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The questioner : If I am listening to the radio and the speaker on the radio or the radio says the greeting, what is the ruling on responding if he says, “As-salamu alaykum”?
The Shaykh : I have doubts about this, meaning I hesitate on this matter. Sometimes I say that responding is obligatory because the broadcaster is greeting all the listeners.
The questioner : Yes, Shaykh.
The Shaykh : And sometimes I say that responding is not obligatory because if he responds, what benefit is there? The broadcaster will not hear him. So I hesitate on this, but if he responds and says, “Wa alaykum as-salam,” then there is nothing wrong with that, if Allah wills.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : I have doubts about this, meaning I hesitate on this matter. Sometimes I say that responding is obligatory because the broadcaster is greeting all the listeners.
The questioner : Yes, Shaykh.
The Shaykh : And sometimes I say that responding is not obligatory because if he responds, what benefit is there? The broadcaster will not hear him. So I hesitate on this, but if he responds and says, “Wa alaykum as-salam,” then there is nothing wrong with that, if Allah wills.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.