<b>Guidance from the Hadith:</b><br> 1) It is not permissible to initiate the greeting of peace to a disbeliever, for this would be a form of honoring him, whereas a disbeliever should be humiliated, not honored.<br> 2) Vexing the disbelievers is something required in the religion. Yet we should do so without being unjust to them or breaking any covenant with them. We must establish justice and avoid oppression.<br> <br> <b>Benefit:</b><br> Someone may ask: Is it permissible to initiate talk to disbelievers with other than the greeting of peace, such as saying: “How are you?” or “How are you doing today?” or “May Allah keep you sound” or the like?<br> The answer is: Yes, this is permissible and nothing is wrong with it, for these are normal questions and a supplication that Allah keeps their heart free from polytheism. The reported prohibition pertains to the greeting of Islam.<br> <br> <b>Words in the Hadith:</b><br> “Force him to the narrowest part of it”: This applies when the road is not wide enough, so that the Muslim uses the wider part and the disbeliever is forced to the roadside. It does not mean crowding with the disbeliever when the road is wide enough for all.