✦ The Ruling on Replying to Salām ✦
Source: Fatāwā Amonpuri by Shaykh Ghulām Muṣṭafā Ẓahīr Amonpuri
❖ The Question
What is the ruling on replying to salām?
❖ The Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
Replying to salām is wājib (obligatory).
❀ Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُمْ بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا﴾
(al-Nisāʾ, 4:86)
“When you are greeted with a salutation, respond with one better than it, or at least return it in the same manner.”
❀ Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Kathīr رحمه الله (d. 774H) said:
قول العلماء قاطبة : أن الرد واجب على من سلم عليه، فيأثم إن لم يفعل؛ لأنه خالف أمر الله
“All scholars unanimously state that replying to salām is obligatory upon the one greeted. If he does not reply, he will be sinful, because he has opposed the command of Allah.”
(Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr, 2/370)
❖ Conclusion
The ruling is clear: responding to salām is wājib. Neglecting to reply makes a person sinful, as it is a direct violation of Allah’s command.
✿ ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب ✿
