Saying 'Salaam' to a person who is praying

22-2-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

My question relates to pray. If someone is praying, and a latecomer says, ‘Salaam Alaikum', do we move our hand? Second, is it possible to have 2 Jamaat in the same mosque at different times but same prayer?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

It is permissible to say 'Salaam' to a person who is praying, and the latter may respond immediately by pointing with his hand, or by words after he concludes the prayer.

Suhaib may Allaah be pleased with him said: “I passed by the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) while he was praying, and I said ‘Salaam’ to him, and he made a gesture with his hand (as a response to me)”. [Abu Dawood, an-Nassaa'i, At-Thirmithi, and others] At-Thirmithi said that 'it is a sound Hadith'.

Ibn Masoud may Allaah be pleased with him said: “We used to say ‘Salaam’ (greet) when people pray, and order what we need, so I came to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) while he was praying, I said ‘Salaam’ to him and he did not respond to me. I was sorry for what had happened. When the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) finished the prayer, he said: “Allah renews whatever of His matters He wishes, and Allah has brought something new that ‘it is not permissible to talk during the prayer”. Then he replied to my ‘Salaam’. [Abu Dawood, Imam an-Nawawi graded it as Hasan]

Allah knows best.

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