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Greetings of Peace, Handshaking, and Asking Permission to Enter

Initiating the greeting of peace is a strongly emphasized sunnah of Islam. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:

“When you enter houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allah, blessed and good.” [al-Nūr: 61]

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Spread the greeting of peace.” He also said: “Among a believer’s rights over another believer are that he greet him when he meets him, visit him when he is ill, and attend his funeral when he dies.”

Returning the greeting carries greater emphasis and obligation, since a fellow Muslim’s right is involved. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:

“When you are greeted with a greeting, respond with a better greeting or return its equal.” [al-Nisā’: 86]

The preferred wording is for the person initiating the greeting to say, “Peace be upon you,” and for the person replying to say, “And upon you be peace.” It is permissible to initiate the greeting with the wording of the reply, and to reply with the wording of the initial greeting. The greeting should end with the mention of blessings, as reported from Ibn ‘Abbās, who objected to any addition beyond this and said: “The greeting ends with blessings.”

Yet Allah’s words, “When you are greeted with a greeting, respond with a better greeting or return its equal,” provide evidence that it is permissible to add something beyond blessings when the person initiating the greeting has already included them. Mālik mentioned in his Muwatta’ that a man greeted ‘Abd Allāh ibn ‘Umar, saying: “Peace be upon you, and Allah’s mercy and blessings, and those that come in the morning and evening.” ‘Abd Allāh ibn ‘Umar replied: “And upon you a thousandfold.” Then he seemed to dislike that.

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It is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The elder should greet the younger, and the rider should greet