The ruling on greeting those next to you after the prayer

Question:
What is your opinion, Your Eminence, regarding the shaking of hands between worshippers after the completion of the prayer? Is it a religious innovation or not?


Answer:
If they did not meet each other except in the row and did not shake hands before that, then the recommended practice (sunnah) is to shake hands upon meeting. When two Muslims meet, they shake hands. So, if they came and entered the prayer without shaking hands before that, it is prescribed for them to shake hands afterwards. However, not immediately, from the moment he says the closing salam of the obligatory prayer, after he remembers Allah and after he settles down; it is not immediate. Some people, as soon as they say the salam, take the hand of a Muslim and shake hands. This is not prescribed. Rather, he should seek forgiveness from Allah three times, then say: "O Allah, You are Peace," and recite the remembrances. After that, there is no harm in shaking hands here and there, if he had not shaken hands with him before that. This is the meeting. This is the case in the voluntary prayer, if he entered the row, then finished the voluntary prayer before the obligatory prayer, and they shook hands. This is part of the love and affection between Muslims.