Congregational Salām in the Masjid and Its Shar‘i Manner
❖ Question:
Is it appropriate to offer a congregational salām when entering or leaving the masjid, especially during congregational prayer? A scholar once advised that one should greet only those nearby instead of addressing everyone. Please clarify.
❖ Answer by:
Shaykh Fahd Ansari ḥafiẓahullāh and Shaykh Umar Athari ḥafiẓahullāh
➊ General Permission for Salām in the Masjid
◈ Saying a general salām upon entering the masjid is established from a ḥadīth in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, as reported in the narration of Sayyidunā Miqdād (رضي الله عنه).
◈ The Prophet ﷺ would say salām in a low voice so that those who were awake could hear, and those who were asleep would not be disturbed.
➋ Congregational Salām During Congregational Prayer
◈ If congregational prayer is in progress, then loud and general salām that causes disturbance is not permissible.
◈ In such a case, one should greet nearby individuals in a low voice, or if needed, enter silently without offering salām to avoid disrupting the prayer.
➌ Evidences from Authentic Aḥādīth
❖ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim:
Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (رضي الله عنه) said:
“We used to greet the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ during prayer, and he would reply. But when we returned from Abyssinia and greeted him during ṣalāh, he did not respond. We asked why. He replied: ‘In ṣalāh, one is engaged in worship.’”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 538]
❖ Sunan al-Tirmidhī:
Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) said:
“I asked Bilāl (رضي الله عنه) how the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ used to respond to salām during ṣalāh. He said: He would respond by gesturing with his hand.”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 369]
➍ Etiquette of Salām and Its Reply
✔ Upon entering the masjid, salām should be given in a low voice so that the atmosphere of reverence and concentration is maintained.
✔ If one offers salām while others are in ṣalāh, the imam or worshippers may respond through gesture, as indicated in authentic narrations.
✔ After the prayer ends, it is permissible to respond to salām verbally.
➎ Virtue of Salām After the Prayer
◈ According to a ḥadīth, one should say salām both upon entering and when leaving a gathering, as the Prophet ﷺ said:
“The final salām is not inferior to the first.”
This encourages the practice of salām on both occasions.
❖ Summary:
✔ General salām upon entering the masjid is permissible, but it must be in a low voice.
✔ During congregational prayer, do not offer loud congregational salām. Greet only those nearby softly, or enter silently.
✔ Those in prayer may respond by gesture, and after prayer, the reply may be given verbally.
✔ Saying salām upon entering and leaving the masjid is from the Sunnah.
