Abu Hurayra said, "The most miserly of people is the person who
is miserly with the greeting. The one who is cheated of good is the one
who does not return it. if a tree comes between you and your brother, and
you are able to be the first to begin the greeting before the other person,
then do it."
Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace, forbade people to sit in courtyards and roads.
The Muslims said, "We will not be able to avoid it. We cannot undertake
it." He said, "If not, then give it its due." They said, "What is it due?"
He said, "Lower the eye, guide the traveller, wish for mercy on the person
who sneezes when he praises Allah and return the greeting."
Salim, the mawla of 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr, said, "When Ibn 'Umar
was greeted, he returned it with increase. I came upon him sitting down
and said, 'Peace be upon you,' and he said, 'Peace be upon you and the
mercy of Allah.' Then I came another time and said, 'Peace be upon you
and the mercy of Allah,; and he said, 'Peace be upon you and the mercy
of Allah and His blessings.' Then I came to him another time and said,
'Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings,' and he said,
'Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings and the bet
of His prayers.'"
'Abdullah ibn 'Amr reported that a man said, "Messenger of Allah,
which aspect of Islam is best?" He replied, "Feeding people and greeting
those you know and those you do not know."
