The one who initiates the greeting

Atiyyah, who was the scribe of Abdullah bin Mutarrif bin al-Shikhkhir, said: I heard Abdullah bin Mutarrif bin al-Shikhkhir say: "There is no man on earth who is the first to give the greeting of peace but that it becomes a charity for him until the Day of Resurrection."

Zayd bin Wahb said that Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Whoever passes by a group of people and greets them, and they return his greeting, that man will have a degree of excellence over them, because he reminded them of the greeting of peace."

Abu Asim said that Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The one who is first to give the greeting of peace surpasses his companion in reward."

Imam al-Sha'bi said that Shurayh said: "Never do two men meet but that the closer of them to Allah is the one who is first to give the greeting of peace."