Then he mentioned in the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who is the one who greets, so we say: First, the best of people is the one who initiates the greeting to people.

The Shaykh : Then he mentioned in the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who is the one who greets, so we say: First, the best of people is the one who initiates the greeting to people, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) used to initiate the greeting to whoever he met, even though he was the most noble of creation. So strive to be the one who greets before your companion, even if he is younger than you, because the best of people is the one who initiates the greeting, and the one closest to Allah is the one who initiates the greeting. Do you not love to be the one closest to Allah? Everyone loves that, so initiate the greeting to people. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned that the rider greets the walker, the walker greets the sitter, the few greet the many, and the young person greets the old person. This is because the rider is elevated, so he greets the walker; the walker is elevated above the sitter, so he greets him; the few greet the many because the many have a right over the few; and the young person greets the old person because the old person has a right over the young person. But if it happens that the few are unaware and do not greet, then the many should greet. If it happens that the young person is unaware, then the old person should greet, and do not leave the Sunnah. That is, what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned does not mean that if the old person greets the young person, it is forbidden. Rather, the meaning is that it is more preferable for the young person to greet the old person. So if he does not greet, then you greet. As we said a moment ago: if you initiate the greeting and begin it, it is better. The one closest to Allah is the one who initiates the greeting. And success is from Allah.

The questioner : Shaykh, may Allah bless you, regarding shaking hands with an older woman through a barrier?