Greeting Individuals Engaged in Prayer: A Clarification

Authored by: Sheikh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)

Question:​

When we enter the mosque and find some individuals engaged in prayer, is it permissible to greet them with "Salam"?

Answer:​

It is permissible to greet individuals who are engaged in prayer. The companions of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to offer Salam upon entering the mosque. If the Prophet (ﷺ) was in prayer, he would respond with a gesture of his hand. This is evidenced in the narration where Abdullah bin Umar (RA) asked Bilal (RA):

"When the Prophet (ﷺ) was in prayer, and someone greeted him with Salam, how would he respond?"
Bilal (RA) replied:

"He would gesture with his hand."
[Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Salah, Hadith 368]

This narration indicates that it is permissible for someone entering the mosque to greet others with Salam, even if a congregational prayer is in progress. If it were not allowed, the Prophet (ﷺ) would not have responded with a hand gesture. Instead, he would have prohibited such an action, just as he prohibited responding verbally during prayer.

Prohibition of Verbal Response During Prayer​

Abdullah bin Mas‘ud (RA) narrates:

"Before we migrated to Abyssinia, we would greet the Prophet (ﷺ) with Salam during prayer, and he would respond verbally. However, when we returned from Abyssinia, I greeted him while he was in prayer, but he did not reply. After completing the prayer, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

'Allah introduces new commands as He wills. Verily, Allah has commanded that no one should speak during prayer.'
[Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Salah, Hadith 924]

Key Rulings Derived from These Narrations​

1. Greeting Upon Entering the Mosque:
   
   • It is permissible for someone entering the mosque to say Salam, even if others are praying.
2. Responding During Prayer:
   
   • The individual in prayer may respond to Salam with a hand gesture but not verbally.
3. Avoiding Verbal Communication in Prayer:
   
   • Allah has prohibited verbal speech during prayer, as clarified by the Prophet (ﷺ).

Conclusion​

The practice of greeting individuals in prayer is permissible, and the one praying should respond with a hand gesture. However, verbal responses are not allowed during prayer. This understanding aligns with the Sunnah and the practices established by the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).