What is the ruling on greeting someone who does not return the greeting, knowing that he is a Muslim?
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The questioner : Noble Shaykh, what is the ruling on praying with a person who does not return the greeting, knowing that he is a Muslim?
The Shaykh : Yes, greet those you know and those you do not know, and those who return the greeting and those who do not. If you greet and he does not return it, you receive the reward and he incurs the sin. But do not greet with a hidden greeting, meaning some people greet in a way that is not heard. Greet in a way that the Muslim you are greeting can hear, and if he happens not to hear, wave your hand with the greeting. Some ignorant people think that if a man is known for not returning the greeting, one should not greet him, thereby causing him to fall into sin. This is a mistake. The hadith is:Sahih Muslim 39, and if he does not return it, he returns with the sin. I am the one who performs the cause; the cause of good is for me and for him, and if he leaves off the good, it is upon him.
The Shaykh : Yes, greet those you know and those you do not know, and those who return the greeting and those who do not. If you greet and he does not return it, you receive the reward and he incurs the sin. But do not greet with a hidden greeting, meaning some people greet in a way that is not heard. Greet in a way that the Muslim you are greeting can hear, and if he happens not to hear, wave your hand with the greeting. Some ignorant people think that if a man is known for not returning the greeting, one should not greet him, thereby causing him to fall into sin. This is a mistake. The hadith is: