A man led us in prayer and said the closing salam only once to his right. Is it permissible to limit oneself to a single salam in prayer?
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The questioner : We conclude this session, O honorable Shaykh, with a question from one of the brothers. He says: A Muslim man led us in prayer and said the closing salam only once to his right. Is it permissible to limit oneself to one?
The Shaykh : Some scholars hold that it is permissible to limit oneself to one, meaning a single salam. Others hold that both salams are necessary. Still others hold that a single salam suffices in voluntary prayer but not in obligatory prayer. The precaution for a person is to say the salam twice, because this is more frequent in what was reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and it is safer and involves more remembrance. However, if the imam says the salam only once and the follower does not consider limiting oneself to one permissible, let the follower say the salam twice; there is no blame on him for this.
As for if the imam says the salam twice and the follower considers a single salam sufficient, let him say the salam with the imam so that he follows him. Yes.
The Shaykh : Some scholars hold that it is permissible to limit oneself to one, meaning a single salam. Others hold that both salams are necessary. Still others hold that a single salam suffices in voluntary prayer but not in obligatory prayer. The precaution for a person is to say the salam twice, because this is more frequent in what was reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and it is safer and involves more remembrance. However, if the imam says the salam only once and the follower does not consider limiting oneself to one permissible, let the follower say the salam twice; there is no blame on him for this.
As for if the imam says the salam twice and the follower considers a single salam sufficient, let him say the salam with the imam so that he follows him. Yes.