How Should a Muslim Greet Muslims and People of Other Faiths?
كيف يقابل المسلم أخاه المسلم؟ أو غيره من أصحاب الديانات الأخرى؟
How should a Muslim greet another Muslim or a person of a different faith?
The answer recalls Allah's gentle reproach in Abasa 80:1-10 for frowning at the blind Ibn Umm Maktum, teaches that meeting a brother with a cheerful face and a smile is charity, and says that people of other faiths are also met with smiles and cheerfulness, to make Islam beloved to them.
1. The Divine Reproach for Frowning
Allah Almighty tells us about when Prophet Mohammad pbuh was with one of the leaders of Quraish preaching to him and hoping he will embrace Islam. While he was talking to him, Ibn Umm Maktum, a blind man who had converted to Islam a while back, came to him to ask him about a matter and persisted in his inquiry. The Prophet wished that Ibn Umm Maktum would go away so he could continue his talk with the other man, hoping to guide him. He turned away from Ibn Umm Maktum and frowned, and moved back to the other man. Even though the blind man could not see his face, Allah revealed these verses reproaching His noble Messenger to emphasize the absolute importance of giving full and pleasant attention to seekers of truth.
(He frowned and turned his attention away, simply because the blind man came to him interrupting. You never know O Prophet, perhaps he may be purified, or he may be mindful, benefitting from the reminder. As for the one who was indifferent, you gave him your undivided attention, even though you are not to blame if he would not be purified. But as for the one who came to you, eager to learn, being in awe of Allah, you were inattentive to him) Surah Abasa 80: 1 to 10.
2. A Cheerful Face is Charity
It is highly commendable for a Muslim to smile at his Muslim brother. The Prophet said: "Do not belittle any good deed, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face" (Sahih Muslim 2626). Cheerful means to be pleasant and smiling, so that the person would feel comfortable. Through this, Muslims' hearts will be brought together.
He also said: "Your smile in the face of your brother is charity for you" (Jami at-Tirmidhi 1956). When you are kind to people, you are also kind to yourself. The Muslim is acting kindly to himself when people think of him as a pleasant man rather than a grumpy one, earning divine rewards and social love simultaneously.
3. Greeting Non Muslims
When meeting non Muslims, one should also be pleasant. This is especially true if you want to call people to Islam by either talking to them or by setting an excellent behavioral example. By smiling and being consistently pleasant, you will make people accept you, and by extension, they will become more receptive to the beautiful message of Islam.
كيف يقابل المسلم أخاه المسلم أو غيره من أصحاب الديانات الأخرى؟
يذكر الجواب عتاب الله لنبيه ﷺ في سورة عبس (عبس 80:1-10) لما عبس في وجه ابن أم مكتوم الأعمى، ويبين أن لقاء الأخ بوجه طلق والتبسم في وجهه صدقة، وأن غير المسلم يقابل كذلك بالتبسم والبشاشة تحبيبا للإسلام إليه.
العتاب الإلهي على العبوس
الله سبحانه عاتب نبيه محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم لأنه عندما كان يوما يخاطب أحد سادة قريش، وقد طمع في إسلامه، إذ أقبل إليه ابن أم مكتوم، وهو رجل أعمى وكان أسلم قديما، وقد جاء إلى النبي ليسأله عن شيء وألح على النبي في السؤال. وود النبي أن لو كف ابن أم مكتوم عن سؤاله ليتمكن من متابعة حديثه مع ذلك الرجل طمعا في هدايته. وعبس في وجه ابن أم مكتوم وأقبل على الآخر.
ورغم أن الرجل الأعمى لا يرى إلا أن الله عاتب رسوله الكريم وأنزل الله تعالى هذه الآيات معاتبا: (عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ (١) أَن جَاءَهُ الْأَعْمَىٰ (٢) وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّهُ يَزَّكَّىٰ (٣) أَوْ يَذَّكَّرُ فَتَنفَعَهُ الذِّكْرَىٰ (٤) أَمَّا مَنِ اسْتَغْنَىٰ (٥) فَأَنتَ لَهُ تَصَدَّىٰ (٦) وَمَا عَلَيْكَ أَلَّا يَزَّكَّىٰ (٧) وَأَمَّا مَن جَاءَكَ يَسْعَىٰ (٨) وَهُوَ يَخْشَىٰ (٩) فَأَنتَ عَنْهُ تَلَهَّىٰ (١٠)) عبس 80: 1 إلى 10.
الوجه الطلق كصدقة
يستحب للمسلم التبسم في وجه أخيه المسلم، كما قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: (لا تحقرنَّ من المعروف شيئًا، ولو أن تلقى أخاك بوجه طَلْق). ومعنى طلق: ضاحك مستبشر، وذلك لما فيه من إيناس الأخ المؤمن، ودفع الإيحاش عنه، وجبر خاطره، وبذلك يحصل التَّأليف المطلوب بين المؤمنين.
ومنه قوله: (تبسُّمك في وجه أخيك لك صدقة)، أي: إحسان إليه، أو إحسان لنفسك لأن فيه ثواب الصدقة، كما أن المسلم يحسن لنفسه حين يذكر بالابتسامة بين الخلق ولا يذكر بالعبوس.
مقابلة أصحاب الديانات الأخرى
أما مقابلة غير المسلم فإنه لأجل دعوته للإسلام بالكلمة أو بالسلوك فإنه يقابل بالتبسم والبشاشة رغبة في دعوته إلى الإسلام وتحبيب الإسلام إليه.
1. He Never Saw Me Without Smiling | إلا تبسم في وجهي
Jarir ibn Abdullah said: The Prophet never kept me from seeing him since I accepted Islam, and he never saw me without smiling in my face (Sahih al-Bukhari 6089). The smile the answer recommends was the Prophet's own way with his companions.
قال جرير بن عبد الله رضي الله عنه: "ما حجبني النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم منذ أسلمت، ولا رآني إلا تبسم في وجهي" (صحيح البخاري 6089).
2. Revealed About Ibn Umm Maktum | نزلت في ابن أم مكتوم
Aisha said: Abasa was revealed about Ibn Umm Maktum, the blind man, who came to the Messenger of Allah saying: O Messenger of Allah, guide me, while a man of the leaders of the polytheists was with him; the Messenger of Allah turned from him and toward the other (Jami at-Tirmidhi 3331, its chain graded sahih by al-Albani). This confirms the occasion of revelation the answer relates.
قالت عائشة رضي الله عنها: أنزل (عبس وتولى) في ابن أم مكتوم الأعمى، أتى رسول الله ﷺ فجعل يقول: "يا رسول الله أرشدني"، وعند رسول الله ﷺ رجل من عظماء المشركين، فجعل رسول الله ﷺ يعرض عنه ويقبل على الآخر (جامع الترمذي 3331، وصحح الألباني إسناده).
3. Returning a Greeting | فحيوا بأحسن منها
Allah says: when you are greeted with a greeting, greet with one better than it or return it (An-Nisa 4:86); Ibn Kathir explains that returning more is recommended and returning the same is obligatory. For a greeting from a person of another faith, the Prophet said: When the People of the Book greet you, say: and upon you (Sahih al-Bukhari 6258).
وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا (سورة النساء: 86)
قال تعالى: وإذا حييتم بتحية فحيوا بأحسن منها أو ردوها (النساء 4:86)، قال ابن كثير: "فالزيادة مندوبة، والمماثلة مفروضة". وقال النبي ﷺ: "إذا سلم عليكم أهل الكتاب فقولوا: وعليكم" (صحيح البخاري 6258).
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Is smiling at a fellow Muslim rewarded?
Yes. The Prophet said: your smile in the face of your brother is charity for you (Jami at-Tirmidhi 1956).
How should a Muslim meet people of other faiths?
The answer says with smiles and cheerfulness, to make Islam beloved to them; and when People of the Book greet a Muslim, he answers: and upon you (Sahih al-Bukhari 6258).
Why was Surah Abasa revealed?
About the blind Ibn Umm Maktum, who came seeking guidance while the Prophet was speaking to a leader of the polytheists (Jami at-Tirmidhi 3331).
How should a greeting be returned?
With a better greeting or its like (An-Nisa 4:86); Ibn Kathir explains that more is recommended and the like is obligatory.