No one greets me except that Allah restores my soul to me so that I return his greeting
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"No one greets me except that Allah restores my soul to me so that I return his greeting."
«ما مِنْ أحَدٍ يُسلِّمُ علي إلا ردَّ اللهُ عليَّ رُوحي حتى أردَّ عليه السَّلامَ».
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that his soul is restored to him to return the greeting of whoever greets him, whether he is near or far. Life in the Barzakh (the period between death and resurrection) and the grave is a matter of the unseen, and no one knows its reality except Allah, Who is Competent over all things.
Encouraging the act of frequently invoking Allah's blessings upon the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
The Prophet's life in his grave is the most perfect life a man can have in his Barzakh and no one knows its reality but Allah Almighty.
This Hadīth is not proof that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has a life like the one we have, so the people of Shirk would not take this as a pretext for seeking relief from him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Rather, it is a Barzakh life.
Sunan Abi Dawood (3/ 384) (2041).
Musnad Ahmad (16/ 477) (10815).
More (6)
بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين.
لسليم الهلالي (2/ 486).
شرح رياض الصالحين.
لابن عثيمين (5/ 477).
نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين.
لمجموعة من الباحثين (2/ 964).
Cited in books
6 Books- Explanation and Clarification of Numerous Issues regarding Hajj, ‘Umrah, and Visiting in the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnahالتحقيق والإيضاح لكثير من مسائل الحج والعمرة والزيارة - النسخة المعتمدة“Whenever someone greets me, Allah restores my soul to me so that I return his greeting.” [114].
- Explanation and Clarification of Numerous Issues regarding Hajj, ‘Umrah, and Visiting in the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnahالتحقيق والإيضاح لكثير من مسائل الحج والعمرة والزيارة - النسخة المعتمدة“Whenever someone greets me, Allah restores my soul to me so that I return his greeting.” [122]
- Hisn Al-Muslim (Fortress of the Muslim) Supplications from the Qur’an and Sunnahحصن المسلم"Whenever someone greets me, Allah restores my soul to me so that I return his greeting." [269]
- رسالة في الأذكار1«مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ يُسَلِّمُ عَلَيَّ إِلَّا رَدَّ اللهُ عَلَيَّ رُوحِي حَتَّى أَرُدَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامَ».
- Rawh wa Rayāhīn Sharh Riyād Al-Sālihīnرياض الصالحين مع فوائد وهدايات - 7“Whenever someone greets me, Allah restores my soul to me so that I return his greeting.”