Salam is the duty of the one who arrives

Question

Some men work as hired labourers for a certain person — for example, harvesting a field — and they are busy with their work. A man came from behind and stood there. These labourers who were working were from different biradaris (kinship communities) and were not at all regular in prayer and the like. One of them, turning back, gave salam to that man. Those who had come to stand behind replied to the salam in a low voice.

Answer

The one who goes to someone should give salam, and the one to whom he goes replies to the salam. But he did not give salam; he came silently and stood. And the one to whom he had come gave salam and showed regard for his seniority — even then there is no sin; rather, he will receive much reward. Objecting to this and preventing from salam is wrong.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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