Is it permissible to greet the People of the Book with the salam for the sake of reconciliation?
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The questioner : ... We greeted the People of the Book with the salam, is that permissible?
The Shaykh : Do not greet the Jews and the Christians with the salam, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said. However, if you see that by greeting them with the salam, you should say "Peace be upon him who follows the guidance," just as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to send letters to the disbelieving kings saying, "Peace be upon him who follows the guidance." Perhaps in this lies a call for them to guidance, so that they enter into this call.
The questioner : The salam to the Rafidah ...?
We have given you a general rule, so follow it. Yes.
The Shaykh : Do not greet the Jews and the Christians with the salam, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said. However, if you see that by greeting them with the salam, you should say "Peace be upon him who follows the guidance," just as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to send letters to the disbelieving kings saying, "Peace be upon him who follows the guidance." Perhaps in this lies a call for them to guidance, so that they enter into this call.
The questioner : The salam to the Rafidah ...?
We have given you a general rule, so follow it. Yes.