Those Who Would Respond to Salam with the Hand or Head During Salah

Hazrat Abdullah narrates that before migrating to Abyssinia, we used to greet the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) during prayer, and he would reply to our greeting. When we returned from Abyssinia, I greeted the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) during prayer, but he did not reply to my greeting. When he completed the prayer, he said that Allah the Exalted enforces His commands whenever He wills; now Allah the Exalted has commanded that you should not converse during prayer.

Hazrat Jabir narrates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent me on an errand. When I returned, he was offering prayer. I greeted him with salam, but he did not reply to my salam.

Hazrat Abu Majliz says that greeting a person who is praying is foolishness.

Hazrat Zakariya says that I asked Hazrat Sha'bi, "If I meet some people and they are praying alone, should I greet them with salam?" He replied, "No."

Ibrahim says that if someone greets a person who is praying, he should reply in his heart.

A man from Banu Amir says that I went and stood by Hazrat Abu Dharr, he was performing prayer, I greeted him with salam but he did not reply to my salam.

Hazrat Basr bin Saeed narrates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was offering prayer when a man greeted him with salam. The Prophet gestured to him with his hand as if forbidding him.

Hazrat Abdullah narrates that before going to Najashi, we used to greet the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he would reply to our greeting. When we returned from Najashi, I greeted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), but he did not reply to my greeting. After completing the prayer, he said that prayer has its own engagement.