Many times people come into the Masjid and make salam. We are already in the saff and have started salah. Is it still wajib for us to answer the salam?
Bismillahi Ta’ala
Walaikum Assalam Warahmatullah
Ideally once the salah has started and someone enters the masjid, he should not say the salam out loud. He may say it softly and insha’ Allah angels will answer him.
However, if he does say the salam out loud, and there is still someone else who has not joined the salah, then he should answer the salam. But as for the people who have already started their salah, then it is not wajib for them to answer the salah.
Finally, if one enters the masjid which is empty at the time, then instead of salam one could say “assalamun alayna min rabbina wa ala ibadillahis saliheen”.
Wallahu A’lam
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Faisal al-Mahmudi