O Abu Batn, we only go to the market to greet with peace everyone we meet

Hadīth explanation: At-Tufayl ibn Ubay ibn Ka‘b used to visit ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and then go to the market with him. At-Tufayl recounts that when they entered the market, Ibn ‘Umar would greet everyone he passed, whether they were sellers of insignificant or precious goods, the poor, or anyone else. In other words, he would greet everyone he met, young or old, rich or poor, etc.

At-Tufayl says that one day he went to see ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar and Ibn ‘Umar asked him to accompany him to the market. At-Tufayl asked him why he goes to the market even though he does not sell, buy, ask about merchandise, or barter with the sellers; i.e. he does not do any of the things that people usually do at the market. What is the use of going to the market if he does not have anything to do there?

So Ibn ‘Umar explained to him that his purpose was not to buy something or to sit in the marketplace, but rather to receive reward and blessings from greeting the people with the Salām. This is a great indication of Ibn ‘Umar's keenness to implement the Sunnah of spreading the greeting of peace among people, because he knew that this was an easy way to attain rewards. The greetings of Salām are a few words that cost nothing to say, yet yield an immense reward.