Those who disliked returning the salam and responding to one who sneezes

Tawus used to consider it disliked that the greeting of salam be returned, or that 'Yarhamuk Allah' (may Allah have mercy on you) be said to one who sneezed, during the sermon.

Ibrahim and Ibn Sirin were asked whether the greeting of salam should be returned on Friday during the sermon or not. They said: It used to be said: Whoever says to someone, 'Be quiet,' has also done something idle.

Ibrahim said: Silence is required.

Muhammad used to say: If someone greets you with salam on Friday during the sermon, reply by gesturing with your head.

A man asked Sa'id bin al-Musayyib: If a man says 'Yarhamuk Allah' (may Allah have mercy on you) to someone who sneezed during the sermon, has he done something idle? He said: No, but he should not do it again.

Muhammad bin Ali and al-Qasim said: He should return the greeting of salam within himself.

Abu al-Haytham said: I greeted Ibrahim with salam on Friday during the sermon, but he did not return my greeting; and after finishing the prayer he said: Speaking at this time is disliked.