Should I Respond To A Salam If I’m Reciting The Qur’an?

Question

Assalamu ‘alaykum.

If I am in the middle of a verse and one person gives me salam or ask any question what will I do? Will I respond immediately or keep continue recitation?

Answer

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

You should finish the verse and then stop to respond, but it isn’t obligatory to do so. It’s generally considered bad etiquette to greet someone engaged in dhikr or the recitation of the Qur’an. (Ibn Abidin, Radd al Muhtar)

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani