Riyad as-Salihin, 858

Abu Umamah Sudaiy bin `Ajlan Al-Bahili (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The person nearest to Allah is one who is the first to offer greeting." [Abu Dawud, with a sound chain]. The narration in At-Tirmidhi is: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked: "O Messenger of Allah! When two persons meet, who should greet the other first?'' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The person nearest to Allah (i.e., one who is more obedient and therefore closer to Allah will say: As-Salam first)."

وعن أبي أمامة صُدي بن عجلان الباهلي رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ “إن أولى الناس بالله من بدأهم بالسلام‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه أبو داود بإسناد جيد‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ ورواه الترمذي عن أبي أمامة رضي الله عنه‏:‏ قيل‏:‏ يا رسول الله، الرجلان يلتقيان، أيهما يبدأ بالسلام‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏أولاهما بالله تعالى‏"‏ قال الترمذي ‏:‏ حديث حسن‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Book 5, Hadith 15

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 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?}