The Book of Greetings
كتاب السلام
Chapter 1: The Excellence of Promoting Greetings
I used to visit 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) in the morning and accompany him to the market. 'Abdullah offered greetings of peace to every one he met on the way, be they sellers of petty goods, traders or poor people. One day when I came to him, he asked me to accompany him to the market. I said to him: "What is the point of your going to the market when you do not sell, nor ask about articles, nor offer a price for them, nor sit down with any company of people. Let us sit down here and talk." He replied: "O Abu Batn (father of a belly) - Tufail had a large belly - we go to the market to greet everyone we meet."[Malik, with a sound chain].
Chapter 2: Words to be Used for Offering Greetings
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported the Prophet (ﷺ) used to repeat his words thrice so that the meaning thereof would be fully understood, and whenever he came upon a gathering of people, he would greet them. He would repeat Salam thrice.[Al- Bukhari].
We used to reserve for the Prophet (ﷺ) his share of the milk, and he would come at night and offer greetings in such a manner as did not disturb those asleep and was heard only by those who were awake. In fact, the Prophet (ﷺ) came and offered greetings as usual.[Muslim].
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) passed through the mosque one day and there was a group of women (about ten of them) sitting in the mosque. He raised his hand to offer greetings.[At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan].
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Those who are nearest to Allah are they who are first to give a salutation.
[Abu Dawud] And At- Tirmidhi narrated its meaning and classified it as Hasan.
Chapter 7: A man sayinig salam to his wife or a mahram woman or non-mahrmam woman or women not fearing tribulation by them and giving them salam with this condition
In At-Tirmidhi: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) passed through the Masjid one day, and a group of women were sitting, so he motioned his hand with the salam.
Chapter 8: Greeting Non-Muslims and the Prohibition of Taking Initiative in Doing So
The Prophet (ﷺ) passed by a mixed company of people which included Muslims, polytheists and Jews, and he gave them the greeting (i.e., saying As- Salamu 'Alaikum).[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Chapter 10: Seeking Permission to Enter (Someone's House) and Manners Relating to It
A man of Banu 'Amir tribe has told us that he had asked the Prophet (ﷺ) for permission to enter when he was at home. He said: "May I enter?" the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to the servant, "Go out and instruct him about the manner of seeking permission. Tell him to say: As-Salamu 'Alaikum (may peace be upon you). May I come in?" The man heard this and said: "As-Salamu 'Alaikum (may peace be upon you). May I come in?" The Prophet (ﷺ) then granted him permission and he entered.[Abu Dawud].
I visited the Prophet (ﷺ) and I entered his house without seeking permission. So he said, "Go back and say: 'As-Salamu 'alaikum (may peace be upon you). May I come in?"'[Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].
Chapter 11: Seeking Permission to Enter by Stating One's Name
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) who was taking a bath while Fatimah was screening him. He asked, "Who is there?" I replied: "I am Umm Hani."[Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
Chapter 12: Saying "Al-Hamdulillah" When Sneezing, Its Reply, and Manners Relating to Sneezing and Yawning
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When one of you sneezes and praises Allah (i.e., says Al-hamdu lillah), you should invoke Allah's Mercy upon him (i.e., say Yarhamuk-Allah); but if he does not praise Allah, you should not respond." [Muslim].
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When one yawns, he should put his hand over his mouth, otherwise the devil will enter."[Muslim].
Chapter 2: Words to be Used for Offering Greetings
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, "This is Jibril (Gabriel) who is conveying you greetings of peace." I responded: "Wa 'Alaihis-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu (May peace be upon him and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings)."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Chapter 4: The Excellence of Greeting the Acquaintance Repeatedly
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When one of you meets a brother (in Faith) he should greet him. Then if a tree or a wall or a stone intervenes between them and then he meets him again, he should greet him."[Abu Dawud].
Chapter 5: The Excellence of Greeting Upon Entering the House
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, "Dear son, when you enter your house, say As- Salamu 'Alaikum to your family, for it will be a blessing both to you and to your family."[At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan Sahih].
Chapter 11: Seeking Permission to Enter by Stating One's Name
I stepped out one night and saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) walking by himself. I began to walk in the moonlit night. He turned round and saw me and asked, "Who is there?" I replied: "Abu Dharr."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].