Hazrat Aun bin Abdullah narrates that Hazrat Muhammad bin Ka'b asked Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz about initiating greeting (salaam) to the dhimmis (non-Muslim citizens under Muslim rule). He replied: Their greeting should be answered, but you should not initiate greeting them. I asked: What are you saying? He replied: There is no harm if you also initiate greeting them. I asked: Why? He replied: Because of the saying of Allah, the Lord of Honor. Translation: "Overlook them and say: Peace (Salaam), for soon they will know."