- That person is nearest to Allah Ta’âla who utters the salaam first. (i.e. one who does not wait for the opposite party to make salaam first.
- Greet every Muslim, whether acquainted or not. (Bukhari)
- Salaam should always be made before talking. (Tirmidhi)
- When replying to a salaam that has been conveyed through a third person, answer by saying: Wa Alaika Wa Alayhis Salâm. (Nasa’i)
- After making salaam, if a barrier such as a tree or wall appears between them (where the view is obscured) one should make salaam again when meeting them.
- A mounted person should greet the one who is walking, and a person on foot should greet the one who is sitting; a smaller group should greet a larger group and the young should greet their elders. (Bukhari)
- When entering a house, make salaam to the occupants of that house.
- When leaving that place (i.e. house), depart with making salaam (Baihaqi)
- When entering ones own house, one should make salaam to ones family; this will be a source of blessings for one and one’s family. (Tirmidhi)
- The completion of visiting the sick is by placing ones hand on the sick person’s forehead, and the completion of salaam is the shaking of the hands. (Ahmad)
- When two Muslims meet and shake hands, their (minor) sins are forgiven before they depart. (Tirmidhi)
- Do not greet the Jews and Christians ( i.e all non-Muslims) with the words of salaam. (Muslim)
Sourced from Jamiatul Ulama JHB
