Saying ‘Good morning/evening’ – Shaykh Bin Bâz

Scholar: Imâm ´Abdul-´Azîz bin ´Abdillâh bin Bâz
Source: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/17636
http://aFatwa.com

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Question:

Some brothers limit their speech by; ‘good morning…good evening’ instead of ‘assalâmu alaykum wa rahmatu Allâh wa barakâtuh’ ie the greeting of Islâm. So is there any advice concerning this?

Shaykh Ibn Bâz:

Yes, that is not permitted. What is obligatory is to start with the ‘Salâm’. ‘Assalâmu alaykum.
You do not say ‘good morning’ and ‘good evening’ but rather say: ‘Assalâmu alaykum.
And if he said; ‘wa rahmatu Allâh wa barakatuh’ is better and perfect/complete.

Thereafter (after starting with the Salaam) he may says; ‘Good morning’, ‘may Allâh give you a good morning’, ‘may Allâh give you a good evening’, ‘how are you’, ‘how are your children’, ‘how is your family’, (this is) a good added greeting.
However he starts by saying; ‘Assalâmu alaykum and that is the minimum.
And if he added ‘wa rahmatu Allâh wa barakâtuh’ then that is better.
And this is how the Prophet (peace & blessings of Allâh be upon him) was with his companions. One time a man came in (joined them) and said:

“Assalâmu ‘alaykum (peace be upon you).”The Prophet said, “[He will have] ten hasanât (rewards).” Another man passed by and said “Assalâmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatu Allâh.” The Prophet, “[He will have] twenty hasanât.” Another man passed by and said “Assalâmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatu Allâhi wa barakâtuh.” The Prophet, “[He will have] thirty hasanât.” [Bukhâri]

And this is the virtue of that point of view.