The Shaykh’s remarks on one of the etiquettes of the gathering, which is shaking hands upon meeting.

The Shaykh : (peace be upon him), and from his actions there are general texts, for example: , so it is not hidden from you in terms of the Arabic expression: , meaning whenever two Muslims meet, clear?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : This is one point, this is his saying (peace be upon him). As for his action, it is said: One of the noble Companions said: . So I tell you: leave aside the restriction to the path or in the gathering, and keep the topic flexible—yes, yes, wait a moment, a little—let the topic be flexible and easy. Once we know this, another rule comes: . There is a very big difference if there is a gathering; I will make it smaller, and conversely, I will make it larger later to show the difference. A gathering with ten people, so one or two or three enter, and they greet and start shaking hands. This is first: from the perspective of the two previous texts, the image includes both texts. Second: there is no burden or harm in this smaller example. Now we come to the larger example that you were hovering around: my gathering is spacious and has fifty people. Here, there is strain. Therefore, the one who enters greets and sits where the gathering ends. Is the detail clear? This is what we believe and act upon, if Allah wills. Is there anything else? So I entrust you to Allah, and peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.