عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه ، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «لا تَبْدَؤوا اليهود والنصارى بالسَّلام، وإذا لَقِيتُمُوهُمْ في طريق، فاضْطَّرُّوهُمْ إلى أَضْيَقِهِ».
[صحيح] - [رواه مسلم]
المزيــد ...

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not initiate the greeting of peace to the Jews and Christians, and if you meet them on a road, force them to go to the narrowest part thereof."
Sahih/Authentic. - [Muslim]

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade initiating the greeting of peace to the Jews and Christians, for saluting them involves a sort of honor to them, whereas the disbelievers are not deserving of such honor. It is alright to ask a disbeliever: How are you doing? How is your day? One may do so when required, for the prohibition applies to the greeting of peace only. We are also forbidden to make way for them. If a Muslim meets one from among the People of the Book on the road, the Muslim should let them take the narrowest part of the road, while the Muslim should walk along the middle of the road and enjoy its wide part. This applies when the road is not wide enough, and when doing this does not cause harm to the non-Muslim. In conclusion, things which are good and kind, either done pro-actively or in response, should be done toward the People of the Book to attract their hearts to Islam. However, the Muslims should have the upper hand and enjoy honor, might, and dignity. In this respect, the non-Muslims may not be given the greeting of peace first nor be given the widest part of the road.

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