857/1 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The one who is riding should greet the one who is walking, the one who is walking should greet the one who is sitting, and the small group of people should greet the large one.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
In another version narrated by Al-Bukhāri: “and the young should greet the old.”
1) Islam teaches its followers to deal politely, modestly, and kindly with one another. As a rider is in a higher position, he should greet those walking. Likewise, a walking person should greet one who is sitting.
2) The young should show respect to the older ones. It also shows the right of the larger group over the smaller one.
858/2 - Abu Umāmah Sudayy ibn ‘Ajlān al-Bāhili (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The closest people to Allah are those who give the greeting of peace first.” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, with a good Isnād]
In another version narrated by Al-Tirmidhi, Abu Umāmah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: It was said: “O Messenger of Allah, when two men meet, which of them initiates the greeting of peace?” He said: “The nearest of them to Allah Almighty.”
[Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi; he classified it as Hasan (sound)]
1) The best among people are those who initiate the greeting of peace, and they are more entitled than others to the protection of Allah Almighty.
2) Allah’s protection of His servants depends on how much they fulfill the rights of servitude to Him. The greater the obedience, the greater the protection. {Is not Allah sufficient for His Servant?}