Greetings in Islam go beyond a formality; they represent peace, respect and good manners. The Islamic greeting, As-Salamu Alaikum (السلام عليكم), which translates to “Peace be upon you,” carries a deeper spiritual meaning. It represents a wish for peaceful relations. A common question that arises in this context is: Who should greet first in Islam? This article discusses what the Quran and Hadith say about initiating greetings.
The Islamic Principle of Greeting
Giving a greeting is not just about saying hello in Islam. It represents feelings of peace and generosity. Peace is very important to Islam and greeting each other is a way to promote it, the Quran says.
In Surah Al-Furqan, Allah says: “And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet with a better greeting or return it. Indeed, Allah is ever, over all things, an Observer.” (Quran 4:86)
It teaches us to greet each other appropriately and, even more, to offer a better greeting, treating everyone politely and respectfully.
Also read: How to Greet a Muslim Woman
Who Should Greet First?
Greeting first is covered in a variety of Hadiths. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged Muslims to initiate the greeting. He said:
“He who starts the greeting is the one who is best in manners and closest to Allah.” (Sahih Muslim)
This Hadith explicitly shows that greeting someone first shows that person’s humility, kindness and respect. Doing acts of goodwill for people can help spread peace and eventually earn you blessings from Allah.
Furthermore, the Prophet (PBUH) instructed us to greet everyone, regardless of their status or background. One mistake people often have is believing that the person with a higher status should wait for the other to greet them. Nonetheless, Islam encourages individuals from any background to begin exchanging greetings.
The Prophet’s Practice
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) set the perfect example of initiating greetings. Greeting kids, the old was something he did regularly. In one Hadith, it is narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Spread peace amongst yourselves.” (Sahih Muslim)
This simple command reminds Muslims that they should always greet others with peace. The Prophet (PBUH) was known to initiate greetings, whether it was to his companions, family, or even strangers. This custom reveals that greeting someone first means you are kindly expressing respect and goodwill to them.
Also read: How to Greet a Muslim as a Non-Muslim
Should the Younger Greet the Elderly First?
It is important in Islam to respect the elderly, though we should still begin the greeting. The Prophet (PBUH) was once asked whether the younger should greet the older first. He responded:
“The young should greet the old, the walking should greet the sitting, and the smaller group should greet the larger group.” (Sahih Muslim)
While the younger should respect their elder, it remains good for them to start the greeting. It expresses a sense of respect for what we are doing.
Also read: Greeting in Islam
Conclusion
Overall, in Islam, anyone who sees the other is expected to greet first, without regard to who they are or what’s happening. When you greet someone, you’re helping to promote peace and kindness and it demonstrates your good manners. From what the Quran and Hadith state, greeting others with Salam helps us get closer to Allah. It might look simple, but inviting people to your table can bring people closer and unite everyone.
