THE ONE CLOSEST TO ALLAH H 870 "The person closest to Allah is one who anticipates others in greeting. The Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, was asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, when two people meet who should be the first to greet?' He answered, 'The one who is closer to Allah.'" R 870 Abu Daud with a chain up to Abu Umamah who related that the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, said this.
858- وعن أَبي أُمَامَة صُدَيِّ بن عجلان الباهِلي رضي الله عنه ، قَالَ : قَالَ رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم : "إنَّ أَوْلى النَّاسِ بِاللهِ مَنْ بَدَأهُمْ بِالسَّلامِ" رواه أَبُو داود بإسنادٍ جيدٍ . ورواه الترمذي عن أَبي أُمَامَةَ رضي الله عنه ، قِيلَ : يَا رسول الله ، الرَّجُلانِ يَلْتَقِيَانِ أَيُّهُمَا يَبْدَأُ بِالسَّلاَمِ ؟ ، قَالَ : "أَوْلاَهُمَا بِاللهِ تَعَالَى" قَالَ الترمذي : "هَذَا حديث حسن" .