Greet Every Muslim With Salam

1. To greet with salaam is one of the great Sunnahs for a Muslim. Rasulullah Sallalahu Alayhe wasallam has laid a lot of emphasis on this. It increases love amongst people. Salaam should be made to every Muslim whether one knows him or not (Bukhari). Salaam is an Islamic right and to know the person is not a requirement.

2. It has been mentioned in the ahadith of Bukhari and Muslim that once Rasulullah Sallalahu Alayhe wasallam passed by a group of children and he (Sallalahu Alayhe wasallam) made salaam to them, hence we deduce that it is Sunnah to make salaam to children as well. (Muslim)

 3. The Sunnah method of making salaam is that one should say verbally. To make salaam with the wave of the hand, the nod of the head or the indication of the finger or to answer to the salaam in this manner is against the Sunnah. If salaam is being made from far then one should make salaam verbally as well as with the hand. (Mishkaat)

 4. When meeting a fellow Muslim, then it is Sunnah to shake hands with him after Salaam. (Mishkaat)

5. When joining any gathering, one should sit wherever a place is found. To make others stand up and to sit in their place is Makruh (disliked) and a sin. (Bukhari, Muslim)

6. When a person comes to meet you move a little even though there is ample place. This is also Sunnah and through it, the one arriving will feel honoured. (Zaadut‐taalibeen)

 7. If there are three persons together, it is not permissible for two persons from amongst them to engage in any conversation separately without the third person being able to hear. The third person may become suspicious and feel hurt. To hurt the feelings of any Muslim is a great sin. (Muslim)

8. When going to somebody’s house one should take permission before entering. (Mishkaat)

9. When yawning, it is Sunnah to prevent it as far as possible. (Bukhari). If the mouth cannot be kept closed despite making an effort to do so, then place the back of the left hand over the mouth.