A greeting must be returned with at least its like, and if possible with something better.
The Qur'an says, "When you are greeted with a greeting, greet with better than it, or return it" (An-Nisa, 86). The Prophet (peace be upon him) showed through his own examples that every kind word added to a greeting increases its reward.
What is the hadith source of this sunnah?
This sunnah rests on the following hadiths. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.
- Nisâ, 4/86
- D5195 Ebû Dâvûd, Edeb, 131-132
More sunnahs in Greetings
As a table with references: Greetings sunnahs.
- Greeting Everyone: Greeting every Muslim, known to you or not, is a sunnah.
- Greeting When Entering a Gathering: Giving the greeting when entering and leaving a gathering is a sunnah.
- Greeting When Entering the Home: Greeting the household as you enter your home brings blessing to it.
The Sunnah & Hadith app sends this and other sunnahs as short reminders spread across your day. Free for iPhone, no ads: download on the App Store.