Manners of Greeting and Seeking Permission
35 hadiths
A Muslim owes another Muslim five rights: returning the greeting of peace, visiting the sick, following the funeral processions, accepting invitations, and saying tashmīt (yarhamuk Allah) (may Allah show mercy to you) to the person who sneezes
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: "A Muslim owes another Muslim five rights: returning the greeting of peace, visiting the sick, following the funeral processions, accepting invitations, and saying tashmīt (yarhamuk Allah) (may Allah show mercy to you) to the person who sneezes."
It is unlawful for a Muslim to desert his fellow Muslim for more than three nights. As they meet, both of them turn their backs on each other. But the best of them is the one who starts by greeting the other
Abu Ayyūb al-Ansāri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It is unlawful for a Muslim to desert his fellow Muslim for more than three nights. As they meet, both of them turn their backs on each other. But the best of them is the one who starts by greeting the other."
When anyone of you meets his brother, let him greet him with peace. If a tree, a wall, or a rock comes between them and then he meets him, let him greet him with peace again.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When any of you meets his brother, let him greet him with peace. If a tree, a wall, or a rock comes between them and then he meets him, let him greet him with peace again."
The one who is riding should greet the one walking, the one who is walking should greet the one sitting, and the small group of people should greet the large one
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The one who is riding should greet the one walking, the one who is walking should greet the one sitting, and the small group of people should greet the large one." A version of Al-Bukhāri reads: "The young should greet the old, the passerby should greet the one who is sitting, and the small group of people should greet the larger one."
Do not initiate the greeting of peace to the Jews or Christians, and if you meet one of them on the way, force him to narrowest part thereof
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not initiate the greeting of peace to the Jews or Christians, and if you meet one of them on the way, force him to narrowest part thereof."
Was handshake common among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)? He replied: Yes
Abu al-Khattāb Qatādah reported that he asked Anas: "Was handshake common among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)?" He replied: 'Yes.'
A man asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): Which deed in Islam is the best? He said: "Feeding people and extending the greeting of peace to those you know and those you do not know
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: A man asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): Which deed in Islam is the best? He said: "Feeding people and extending the greeting of peace to those you know and those you do not know."
A man said: O Messenger of Allah, when a man amongst us meets a brother or a friend, should he bow to him? He said: No. He said: Should he embrace and kiss him? He said: No. He said: Should he take his hand and shake it? He said: Yes
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man said: "O Messenger of Allah, when a man amongst us meets a brother or a friend, should he bow to him?" He said: ‘No.’ He said: "Should he embrace and kiss him?" He said: ‘No.’ He said: "Should he take his hand and shake it?" He said: ‘Yes.’”
لو أعلم أنك تنظر لطعنت به في عينك، إنما جعل الاستئذان من أجل البصر
عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ قَالَ: اطَّلَعَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ جُحْرٍ فِي حُجَرِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَمَعَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مِدْرًى يَحُكُّ بِهِ رَأْسَهُ، فَقَالَ: «لَوْ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ تَنْظُرُ لَطَعَنْتُ بِهِ فِي عَيْنِكَ، إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الِاسْتِئْذَانُ مِنْ أَجْلِ البَصَرِ».
If a man – or he said someone – peeped at you without your permission and you threw a pebble at him that gouged out his eye, you would not be at fault.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If a man – or someone – peeped at you without your permission and you threw a pebble at him that gouged out his eye, you would not be at fault."
When one of you arrives at a gathering, let him greet with peace. When he wants to leave, let him greet with peace, for the first is not more deserving than the last
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When one of you arrives at a gathering, let him greet with peace. When he wants to leave, let him greet with peace, for the first is not more deserving than the last."
Whenever the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) spoke a word, he would repeat it thrice until it is understood from him. Whenever he greeted a group of people, he would greet them thrice
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) spoke a word, he would repeat it thrice until it is understood from him. Whenever he greeted a group of people, he would greet them thrice.
When Allah created Adam (peace be upon him), He said to him: Go and greet those – a group of angels who were sitting – and listen to what they are going to say in response to your greeting as that will be your greeting and the greeting of your offspring
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When Allah created Adam (peace be upon him), He said to him: 'Go and greet those – a group of angels who were sitting – and listen to what they are going to say in response to your greeting as that will be your greeting and the greeting of your offspring.' He (Adam) said: 'As-Salāmu ‘alaykum (peace be upon you).' They replied: 'As-Salāmu ‘alayk wa rahmatullāh (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you),' thus adding 'wa-rahmatullāh (and mercy of Allah)' in their response to his greeting."
The closest people to Allah are the ones who give the Salām first
Abu Umāmah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The closest people to Allah are the ones who give the Salām first" [Abu Dāwud]. In the narration of At-Tirmidhi: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was asked: "When two persons meet, who should give the Salām first?" He said: "The one who is closer to Allah."
A man asked permission to see the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Thereupon, he said: Let him in. What an evil brother of his people he is!
A man asked permission to see the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Thereupon, he said: "Let him in. What an evil brother of his people he is!"
We used to set aside for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) his share of milk, and he would come at night and offer greetings in a tone that did not disturb those who were asleep but was heard by those who were awake
Al-Miqdād (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We used to set aside for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) his share of milk, and he would come at night and offer greetings in a tone that did not disturb those who were asleep but was heard by those who were awake. So (one night), the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came and gave greetings as is he used to greet.
The young should greet the old, the passer-by should greet the one who is sitting, and the small group of people should greet the larger one
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The young should greet the old, the passer-by should greet the one who is sitting, and the small group of people should greet the larger one." Another narration adds: "and the one who is riding should greet the one who is walking."
When a group of people pass by, it is sufficient if one of them extends the greetings on their behalf, and it is sufficient if one returns the greeting on behalf of a group
‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When a group of people pass by, it is sufficient if one of them extends the greetings on their behalf, and it is sufficient if one returns the greeting on behalf of a group."
That he passed by some boys, so he greeted them with Salām and said that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to do so
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) passed by some boys, so he greeted them with Salām and said that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to do so (greet children with Salām).
O Abu al-Hasan, how is the Messenger of Allah this morning? He said: He is feeling better this morning, by the grace of Allah
Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) came out of the house of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) during his final illness. The people asked: "O Abu al-Hasan, how is the Messenger of Allah this morning?" He said: "He is feeling better this morning, by the grace of Allah."
إذا سلم عليكم أحد من أهل الكتاب فقولوا: عليك ما قلتَ
عن أنس بن مالك أن يهوديًّا أتى على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وأصحابه فقال: السام عليكم. فرد عليه القوم، فقال نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (هل تدرون ما قال هذا؟) قالوا: الله ورسوله أعلم، سلم يا نبي الله. قال: لا ولكنه قال كذا وكذا، ردوه علي، فردوه، قال: (قلت: السام عليكم؟) قال: نعم. قال نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عند ذلك: (إذا سلم عليكم أحد من أهل الكتاب فقولوا: عليك ما قلتَ، قال: {وإذا جاءوك حيوك بما لم يحيك به الله}).
أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا دخل بيته بدأ بالسواك
عن عائشة أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا دخل بيته بدأ بالسواك.
إن في الصلاة شغلًا
عن عبد الله بن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال: كنا نُسلِّم على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو في الصلاة فيرُدُّ علينا، فلما رجعنا من عند النجاشي سلمنا عليه فلم يرد علينا، وقال: «إن في الصلاة شغلًا».
إذا استأذن أحدكم ثلاثا فلم يؤذن له فليرجع
كُنْتُ فِي مَجْلِسٍ مِنْ مَجَالِسِ الأَنْصَارِ، إِذْ جَاءَ أَبُو مُوسَى كَأَنَّهُ مَذْعُورٌ، فَقَالَ: اسْتَأْذَنْتُ عَلَى عُمَرَ ثَلاَثًا، فَلَمْ يُؤْذَنْ لِي فَرَجَعْتُ، فَقَالَ: مَا مَنَعَكَ؟ قُلْتُ: اسْتَأْذَنْتُ ثَلاَثًا فَلَمْ يُؤْذَنْ لِي فَرَجَعْتُ، وَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: @«إِذَا اسْتَأْذَنَ أَحَدُكُمْ ثَلاَثًا فَلَمْ يُؤْذَنْ لَهُ فَلْيَرْجِعْ»* فَقَالَ: وَاللَّهِ لَتُقِيمَنَّ عَلَيْهِ بِبَيِّنَةٍ، أَمِنْكُمْ أَحَدٌ سَمِعَهُ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ؟ فَقَالَ أُبَيُّ بْنُ كَعْبٍ: وَاللَّهِ لاَ يَقُومُ مَعَكَ إِلَّا أَصْغَرُ القَوْمِ، فَكُنْتُ أَصْغَرَ القَوْمِ فَقُمْتُ مَعَهُ، فَأَخْبَرْتُ عُمَرَ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ ذَلِكَ.
أتيت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم في دَينٍ كان على أبي، فدققْتُ الباب
عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي دَيْنٍ كَانَ عَلَى أَبِي، فَدَقَقْتُ البَابَ، فَقَالَ: «مَنْ ذَا؟» فَقُلْتُ: أَنَا، فَقَالَ: «أَنَا أَنَا» كَأَنَّهُ كَرِهَهَا.
إذا أتيتَ على راعٍ فناده ثلاث مرار فإن أجابك وإلا فاشرب في غير أن تفسد
عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «إِذَا أَتَيْتَ عَلَى رَاعٍ فَنَادِهِ ثَلَاثَ مِرَارٍ، فَإِنْ أَجَابَكَ وَإِلَّا فَاشْرَبْ فِي غَيْرِ أَنْ تُفْسِدَ، وَإِذَا أَتَيْتَ عَلَى حَائِطِ بُسْتَانٍ فَنَادِ صَاحِبَ الْبُسْتَانِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ، فَإِنْ أَجَابَكَ وَإِلَّا فَكُلْ فِي أَلَّا تُفْسِدَ».
لا يحلبن أحد ماشية امرئ بغير إذنه
«لاَ يَحْلُبَنَّ أَحَدٌ مَاشِيَةَ امْرِئٍ بِغَيْرِ إِذْنِهِ*، أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤْتَى مَشْرُبَتُهُ، فَتُكْسَرَ خِزَانَتُهُ، فَيُنْتَقَلَ طَعَامُهُ؟ فَإِنَّمَا تَخْزُنُ لَهُمْ ضُرُوعُ مَوَاشِيهِمْ أَطْعِمَاتِهِمْ، فَلاَ يَحْلُبَنَّ أَحَدٌ مَاشِيَةَ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ».
إذا سَلَّم عليكم اليهود فإنما يقول أحدهم: السام عليك، فقل: وعليك
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: "إِذَا سَلَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ اليَهُودُ فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ أَحَدُهُمْ: السَّامُ عَلَيْكَ، فَقُلْ: وَعَلَيْكَ".
Today, I shall be the gatekeeper of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) came and pushed the door and I said: "Who is it?" He said: "This is Abu Bakr." I said: "Wait, please." I went and said: "O Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr seeks permission to come in." He said: "Let him in and give him glad tidings of Paradise."
Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he performed ablution in his house and then came out saying: "I would remain with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) the whole day long." He came to the mosque and asked about the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). They said: "He has gone in this direction." He (Abu Mūsa) said: "I followed his steps asking about him until I came to Bi'r Arīs (a well in the suburbs of Madīnah). I sat by its door until the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had relieved himself and then performed ablution. I went to him and he was sitting at the well in the middle of its elevated edge with his shanks uncovered up to the knees and his legs dangling in that well. I greeted him then came back and sat at the door saying: 'Today, I shall be the gatekeeper of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).' Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) came and pushed the door and I said: 'Who is it?' He said: 'This is Abu Bakr.' I said: 'Wait, please.' I went and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr seeks permission to come in.' He said: 'Let him in and give him glad tidings of Paradise.' I came and said to Abu Bakr: 'Come in, and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gives you glad tidings of Paradise.' Abu Bakr went in and sat on the right side of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) on the elevated edge and dangled his feet in the well just as the Messenger of Allah had done, and he uncovered his shanks. I then returned and sat there, and I had left my brother performing ablution and he was to meet me, and I said: 'If Allah intends goodness for so and so (meaning his brother), He would bring him here.' As I was thinking of this, someone moved the door. I said: 'Who is it?' He said: 'This is ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb.' I said: 'Wait, please.' Then, I went to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, ‘Umar seeks permission to come in.' He said: 'Let him in and give him glad tidings of Paradise.' I came to ‘Umar and said: 'He gave permission, and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gives you glad tidings of Paradise.' He went in and sat on the edge on the left side of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and dangled his feet in the well. I then returned and sat and said: 'If Allah intends goodness for so and so (meaning his brother), He would bring him here.' Then, another person came and moved the door and I said: 'Who is it?' He said: 'This is ‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān.' I said: 'Wait, please.' I then came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and told him, so he said: 'Let him in and give him glad tidings of Paradise along with an affliction that will befall him.' I came and said: 'Come in and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gives you glad tidings of Paradise along with an affliction that will befall you.' He went in and saw that the edge of the well was fully occupied so he sat on the other side facing them." Sa‘īd ibn al-Musayyib said: "I interpreted this (order of sitting) as the way their graves would be arranged." Another version has the following addition: "and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered me to guard the door." It also says that when ‘Uthmān was given glad tidings of Paradise and an affliction, he said: "Praise be to Allah" and then said: "Allah helps!"
O Abu Batn, we only go to the market to greet with peace everyone we meet
At-Tufayl ibn Ubay ibn Ka‘b reported that he used to visit Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) in the morning and accompany him to the market. Abdullāh would offer greetings of peace to every one he met on the way, be they sellers of petty goods, store owners, or poor people. At-Tufayl said: "One day when I went to Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar, he asked me to accompany him to the market. I said to him: "What do you do in the market if you do not sell, nor ask about merchandise, nor offer a price for them, nor you sit in the market gatherings? and said to him: Let us sit here and talk." He replied: "O Abu Batn, we only go to the market to greet with peace everyone we meet."
لما خلق الله آدم ونفخ فيه الروح عطس
عن أبي هريرة، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (لما خلق الله آدم ونفخ فيه الروح عطس فقال: الحمد لله، فحمد الله بإذنه، فقال له ربه: رحمك الله يا آدم، اذهب إلى أولئك الملائكة، إلى ملإ منهم جلوس، فقل: السلام عليكم، قالوا: وعليك السلام ورحمة الله، ثم رجع إلى ربه، فقال: إن هذه تحيتك وتحية بنيك، بينهم، فقال الله له ويداه مقبوضتان: اختر أيهما شئت، قال: اخترت يمين ربي وكلتا يدي ربي يمين مباركة ثم بسطها فإذا فيها آدم وذريته، فقال: أي رب، ما هؤلاء؟ فقال: هؤلاء ذريتك، فإذا كل إنسان مكتوب عمره بين عينيه، فإذا فيهم رجل أضوؤهم، أو من أضوئهم - قال: يا رب من هذا؟ قال: هذا ابنك داود قد كتبت له عمر أربعين سنة. قال: يا رب زده في عمره. قال: ذاك الذي كتب له. قال: أي رب، فإني قد جعلت له من عمري ستين سنة. قال: أنت وذاك، قال: ثم أسكن الجنة ما شاء الله، ثم أهبط منها، فكان آدم يعد لنفسه، قال: فأتاه ملك الموت، فقال له آدم: قد عجلت، قد كتب لي ألف سنة. قال: بلى ولكنك جعلت لابنك داود ستين سنة، فجحد فجحدت ذريته، ونسي فنسيت ذريته. قال: فمن يومئذ أمر بالكتاب والشهود).
إذنُك عليَّ أن يُرفع الحجاب، وأن تستمع سِوَادي، حتى أنهاك
عَن ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِذْنُكَ عَلَيَّ أَنْ يُرْفَعَ الْحِجَابُ، وَأَنْ تَسْتَمِعَ سِوَادِي، حَتَّى أَنْهَاكَ».
Do not say "Upon you be peace" for "Upon you be peace" is the greeting of the dead
Abu Juray al Hujaymi (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I went to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "Upon you be peace, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "Do not say 'Upon you be peace' for 'Upon you be peace' is the greeting of the dead."
A man came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: As-salāmu ‘alaykum (peace be upon you). He responded to him and then sat down. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Ten
‘Imrān ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: As-salāmu ‘alaykum (peace be upon you). He responded to him and then sat down. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Ten." Then another came and said: As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāh (may the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you). He responded to him and so he sat down. He said: "Twenty." Then another came and said: As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāh wa barakātuh (may the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you). He responded to him and so he sat down. He said: "Thirty."
No two Muslims meet and shake hands except that their sins are forgiven before they part
Al-Barā’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No two Muslims meet and shake hands except that their sins are forgiven before they part."