When and To Whom Can One Make Salaam?
Query 19
To whom are we not allowed to convey salaams? Can we convey salaam to a person who gambles or plays cards etc.? What about when a person is eating, reciting the Qur’an and reading Wazifas etc.? Can we reply to the salaam when the persons are engrossed in the above and what about when a person is in Mehfil-e-Meelad? In which other instances are we not allowed replying to salaam?
The Verdict
If a person is an open sinner and commits major sins, then one should not be first to make salaams to him, unless one feels that he can cause you some harm if you do not do so.
One should also avoid making salaam to a person occupied in something, such as one who is eating, or one who is imparting knowledge of Deen, or one who is engrossed in reciting the Qur’an, or one who is reading Durood Shareef, or a person engrossed in reading Wazifas.
The same applies to conveying salaam to a person who is delivering a lecture, and to one who is reading the Meelad Shareef. However, it is fine for one to reply to the Salaam (in the above mentioned situations).
References
Fatawa Mustafawiyah, Ghaus-ul-Waqt Mufti e Azam e Hind Mawlana Mustafa Rida Khan Qadri RadiyAllahu Anhu.
[Translation]
Mufti Afthab Cassim Qadri Ridawi Noori