Question # 579: Assalamualaikum, I want to ask regarding Aqidah Al-wala wal Bara’, 1. Can we initially greeting non believers with neutral greeting? such as “Hai, Good Morning, etc”; 2. Can we initially greet non believers with smiling face? because I’ve read in a website that says it’s prohibited to have smiling face to non believer but it’s sunnah to our brothers, is it true?

Bismi-llahi r-raḥmani r-raḥīm,

Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

All praise and thanks are due to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Dear questioner,

First of all, we implore Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.

Shorter Answer: The hadith of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم): “Do not initiate the greeting with Jews and Christians,” means do not greet them with the Islamic greeting by saying, “As-Salaamu alaykum,” but there is nothing wrong with greeting them with any other common greeting, such as, “Good morning,” or, “Hi,” especially if they show Muslims enough respect and do not exhibit any hatred or enmity toward Islam and Muslims. It is also allowed to reply to their greeting; if they say, “As-Salaamu alaykum,” our response should be, “Wa alaykum.

Islam encourages Muslims to smile and be kind to everyone, including non-believers, as it is considered an act of charity, reflects good character, and fosters positive relationships, following the example of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم), as long as it’s done with good intentions and within appropriate religious boundaries.

Long Answer: The scholars differed in opinion regarding greeting a non-Muslim in principle and in responding to his greeting if he is the one who greets first. The hadith mentioned in this regard is: The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Do not initiate the greeting with the Jews and Christians, and if you meet them in the street, push them towards the narrowest part of it.” (Sahih Muslim). This hadith pertains to a particular incident. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said so when he was heading to punish Bani Qurayzah, a Jewish tribe, for their treason and breaking their pledge of allegiance to the Muslims. This tribe had betrayed the Muslims and aided their enemies in a war of extermination. Ibn al-Qayyim writes: “It is said that this was in a specific situation when they were marching to Banu Qurayzah” (Zad Al-Ma`ad)

[However, the scholars opined that] …if [non-Muslims] greet us, we have to respond [back] to them because of the general meaning of the verse, in which Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) says in the Qur’an: “When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally.” (Soorah An-Nisa’a, 4:86)

[But] the Jews of Madinah used to twist their tongues with the Islamic greeting so as to give it a different meaning. A hadith related by Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنه) quotes the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) as saying: “When a Jew offers you a greeting of peace, he actually says: `As-sam `alaykum (death be upon you). Hence, you better reply by saying `Wa `Alaykum (and also upon you).” (Related by Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, and Al-Nasa’i)

Another hadith stresses the same point. “A number of Jews came to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم), and instead of offering the proper greeting, they said: ‘As-Saam alaikum’. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) answered: ‘And to you.’ His wife, Aishah (رضي الله عنهما) was nearby and she said: ‘And to you be death and God’s curse.’ The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) told her to be patient and cool down. She said: ‘Have you not heard what they said.’ The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: ‘Yes, I have, and I replied. Our wish will be answered while theirs will not.’” (Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad and Muslim).

The fact that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said “wa `alaykum” indicates that if they were saying “As-salaamu `alaykum (peace be upon you),” then peace will also be upon them, i.e., whatever they say to us, we say to them. Hence, some of the scholars said that if a Jew, Christian, or other non-Muslim clearly says “As-salaamu `alaykum,” it is permissible for us to say “`alaykum As-salaam (upon you be peace).”

Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) said: “Return the greeting of peace to a Jew, a Christian or a Magian. Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) says: ‘When a greeting is offered to you, answer it with an even better greeting, or (at least) with its like.’ (4:86)” (Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)

The meaning of As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum is informing the person who is greeted that he is in peace and safe from all kinds of mischief from the side of the greeting person. Some other scholars say As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum is a kind of glad tidings from Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) which He makes through Muslims who give glad tidings to each other that they are in peace from evil and they receive Allah’s Blessing or Mercy. This glad tiding is being given to the persons due to their Islam and adhering to Allah’s religion.

[Therefore, as for initiating the Salaam,] if there is a mixed gathering of Muslims and non-Muslims one may greet them all by saying As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum intending Muslims. The evidence for this ruling is the hadith reported by Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim from Usaamah ibn Zaid (رضي الله عنه), who said that “the Prophet passed by a gathering mixed of Muslims and Jews and greeted them by saying As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum.”

[Nevertheless], some other people of knowledge are of the view that it is permissible to start greeting. This is the opinion of Ibn ‘Abbas, Abu Umamah, and others. Moreover, ‘Ikrimah and An-Nakha’i are of the view that it is permissible to start greeting non-Muslims for a necessity or a need or for an expected religious benefit. Ibn Al-Qayyim said in Zad Al-Ma`ad concerning greeting a non-Muslim first: “A group of scholars said: It is permissible to greet him first if that serves a purpose, or for fear of his harm, or because of blood ties, or for a reason that requires that.” Ibn Hajar writes: “A group of scholars said it is permissible to initiate the greeting of peace with non-Muslims.” (Fath al-Bari)

However, …the two schools of Ash-Shafi’i and Ahmad also prohibit [greeting them with other forms other than “As-Salaam,” and] Abu Hanifah and Malik and some scholars of the first two schools (Ash-Shafi’i and Ahmad) are of the view that it is disliked to greet non-Muslims unless there is some genuine reason, such as a need for something from a non-Muslim, being a neighbor, or a relative.

According to Dr. Main Khalid Al-Qudah, a Member of the Fatwa Committee of the Assembly of Muslim Jurists in America: “The hadith of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم)… “Do not initiate the greeting with Jews and Christians” means do not greet them with the Islamic greeting by saying, “Assalamu alaykom,” but there is nothing wrong with greeting them with any other common greeting, such as, “Good morning,” or, “Hi,” especially if they show Muslims enough respect and do not expose any hatred or enmity toward Islam and Muslims. It is also allowed to reply to their greeting. If they say, “Assalamu alaykom,” your response should be, “Wa alaykom.””

Islam generally encourages to smile and show kindness towards others, including non-believers, as it reflects good character and helps create positive interactions. Smiling is part of good manners and should be practiced when interacting with both Muslims and non-Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) was known for his cheerful demeanor and frequent smiling:

  • The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “Smiling in your brother’s face is an act of charity” (At-Tirmidhi; classed as saheeh by Al-Albani).
  • Jarir ibn Abdullah (رضي الله عنه) said: “Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) never refused me permission to see him since I embraced Islam and never looked at me but with a smile” (Sahih Muslim).
  • Moreover, Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم)said: “You cannot satisfy people with your wealth, but satisfy them with your cheerful faces and good morals” (Abu Ya`la and Al-Hakim; saheeh hadith).
  • Abu Dhar (رضي الله عنه) narrated from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) that he said, “Do not disdain a good deed, (no matter how small it may seem) even if it is your meeting with your brother with a cheerful face” (Sahih Muslim).

As for greeting non-believers with a smiling face, a gesture of kindness is permissible as long as it does not involve compromising one’s religious boundaries. The concept of Al-Wala’ wal-Bara’ (loyalty and disavowal) pertains to one’s allegiance to Islam and distancing from actions or beliefs that contradict it, but it does not dictate that one should be harsh or unkind toward non-believers. Islam encourages a balance of kindness, respect, and upholding the core values of faith. However, there are some important considerations:

  • Interactions should remain within appropriate Islamic boundaries, avoiding anything that could lead to temptation or impropriety.
  • The intention behind smiling or greeting should be one of basic human kindness, not intimate friendship or approval of non-Islamic beliefs.
  • In professional or public settings, courteous greetings and smiles are often expected social norms.

(Other than the use of some authentic internet sources, the above reply is based on the following resources:

  • Islamqa.info
  • Islamweb.net)

Allahu A’lam (Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knows best) and all Perfections belong to Allah, and all mistakes belong to me alone. May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) forgive me, Ameen.

Wassalaam