WikiTefsir
Authentic hadith article

When anyone of you meets his brother, let him greet him with peace. If a tree, a wall, or a rock comes between them and then he meets him, let him greet him with peace again.

AuthenticNarrated by Abu DāwūdHadeethEnc #3552
Arabic hadith text

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «إِذَا لَقِيَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَخَاهُ فَلْيُسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ، فَإِنْ حَالَتْ بَيْنَهُمَا شَجَرَةٌ أَوْ جِدَارٌ أَوْ حَجَرٌ ثُمَّ لَقِيَهُ فَلْيُسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ أَيْضًا».

English translation

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said:

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When any of you meets his brother, let him greet him with peace. If a tree, a wall, or a rock comes between them and then he meets him, let him greet him with peace again."

Explanation

Explanation of the hadith

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) urges the Muslim to greet his fellow Muslim with peace whenever he meets him; even if they are walking together and something separates between them, like a tree, a wall, or a big rock, and then he meets him, he should greet him with peace once again.

Lessons

Benefits from the hadith

  1. It is recommended to spread the greeting of peace and repeat it whenever there is a change in state.
  2. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was extremely keen on spreading the Sunnah of exchanging the greeting of peace excessively, given the affection and familiarity that it fosters among Muslims.
  3. The greeting of peace is to say: "As-salāmu ‘alaykum" (peace be upon you) or "As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuh" (may Allah's peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you), apart from the handshaking that takes place upon meeting for the first time.
  4. The greeting of peace is a form of supplication, and Muslims do need to supplicate for each other even if this is done repeatedly.
Topics
Manners of Greeting and Seeking Permission

Related concept articles

Supplication · Mercy · Family · Peace and reconciliation · Prophethood