Warning against the innovation of greeting each person individually in a gathering and not being content with a single greeting for everyone.

The Shaykh : It is one of the things that most people consider to be a recommended practice, but it is a religious innovation. It is when a person enters a gathering; naturally, it is obligatory for him to initiate the greeting to those present. You know that the greeting is in the plural form, "Peace be upon you." Then, to complete this lawful greeting, if it is easy for the Muslim to shake hands with those present, that is undoubtedly more perfect and more blessed. If it is not easy for him, he sits where his place in the gathering ends. Yes.

The questioner : If the number is large, meaning, for example, numbers...

The Shaykh : Ah, or a crowd or something similar. The point is that the Muslim does so to the extent of his ability, because it is difficult to establish a specific system like that. The intention is to draw attention to the fact that when he starts shaking hands, he does not offer a separate greeting to each person, saying "Peace be upon you, peace be upon you, peace be upon you." This is from the innovations, from the innovations that have arisen today in many countries, especially this country. I do not recall this being present in Syria, I do not think... meaning... in this period...
The student : It is new, Shaykh.

The Shaykh : What did we say? Yes.
The student : It is new here, it is new.

The Shaykh : I am saying that I do not recall it in Syria.
The student : ... .

The Shaykh : So the point, may Allah reward you, is that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), when he entered a gathering, would say "Peace be upon you," and then in some hadiths: , but he did not offer a separate greeting to each person while shaking his hand, no. This, in that case, is considered an exaggeration in religion and an innovation in religion. Naturally, a person like your story, and praise be to Allah, is following us on the right path, so there is no need to give him a lecture about this.
The student : By Allah, I do not have information, meaning...

The Shaykh : Excuse me, there is no need to give him a lecture as if you are telling someone that this is a religious innovation. I tell you, my brother, what is in it? We send blessings upon the Messenger, we remember Allah. You do not need a lecture because this matter is settled with you, meaning.
The student : ... .

The Shaykh : Yes, praise be to Allah, but you still have an obligation, just as we have an obligation, and that is as he (peace and blessings be upon him) said on this occasion: So you will see what we see, and it is obligatory for you to draw attention to the fact that, "O brothers, this is not a recommended practice." The recommended practice is that when he enters, he offers the greeting. If it is easy for him to shake hands, he shakes their hands; otherwise, he sits where his place in the gathering ends.
The student : I say, Shaykh, especially he is a traveler between Yemen...

The Shaykh : Well done, yes, what Allah willed, a tour of the countries.
The student : Ah, what Allah willed.
Another student: Some of the brothers convey their greetings to you...

The Shaykh : By Allah, may Allah reward you with good.