Authored by: Dr. Muhammad Ziaur Rahman A‘zami (رحمه الله)
It is not permissible for a Muslim to greet a disbeliever (kāfir) first with the Islamic greeting "As-Salamu ‘Alaikum".
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Do not initiate the greeting of salam with the Jews and Christians. If you meet any of them on the road, force them to the narrowest part of it.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2167/13)
This means that Muslims should walk confidently and firmly, causing the non-Muslims to move aside—not in arrogance, but to uphold the dignity and distinct identity of Islam.
Narrated by Anas ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When the People of the Book greet you (with salam), then say: ‘Wa ‘alaikum’ (And upon you as well).”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6258; Sahih Muslim, 2163/6)
✿ According to the Hadiths:
✿ There is no harm in asking a non-Muslim about their well-being using general phrases like:
✿ This is permissible only when needed, and not as a means of unnecessary familiarity or friendship.
A group of scholars have affirmed this interpretation, including Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله).
Fatwa Source:
The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Ifta (al-Lajnah al-Dā’imah), Fatwa No. 11123
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
❖ Ruling:
It is not permissible for a Muslim to greet a disbeliever (kāfir) first with the Islamic greeting "As-Salamu ‘Alaikum".
❖ Evidence from the Prophetic Tradition:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Do not initiate the greeting of salam with the Jews and Christians. If you meet any of them on the road, force them to the narrowest part of it.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2167/13)
This means that Muslims should walk confidently and firmly, causing the non-Muslims to move aside—not in arrogance, but to uphold the dignity and distinct identity of Islam.
Narrated by Anas ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When the People of the Book greet you (with salam), then say: ‘Wa ‘alaikum’ (And upon you as well).”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6258; Sahih Muslim, 2163/6)
❖ Interpretation:
✿ According to the Hadiths:
- Muslims are prohibited from initiating salam to non-Muslims.
- However, if a non-Muslim greets a Muslim first, the response should be: "Wa ‘alaikum", which is general and non-specific in return.
❖ Asking About Their Well-being:
✿ There is no harm in asking a non-Muslim about their well-being using general phrases like:
- “How are you?”
- “How was your morning?”
- “How has your evening been?”
✿ This is permissible only when needed, and not as a means of unnecessary familiarity or friendship.
❖ Scholarly Consensus:
A group of scholars have affirmed this interpretation, including Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله).
Fatwa Source:
The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Ifta (al-Lajnah al-Dā’imah), Fatwa No. 11123
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
