The student’s remarks on the innovation of combining the greeting and the handshake with each of those present

The student: It was the year 76 CE, and we were in Jarash. When I became a Muslim, I would shake hands and say, “As-salamu alaykum,” and shake hands, saying “As-salamu alaykum,” and shake hands. My brother Abu Ahmad said, “The Shaykh, oh Shaykh, my brother Abu Ma’az greets and combines the greeting with the handshake; is this an innovation, or what do you say?” So the Shaykh informed me that this is sufficient: one greeting for the group. This was in the year 75. My brother Abu Ahmad—may Allah have mercy on him—alerted me to this. We ask Allah to accept him with His vast mercy.

The Shaykh: Amen.
The student: He used to remain silent when he saw, meaning, a matter that required clarification or advice, and he would hasten what was delayed.