Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “We do not prostrate before anyone besides Allah Ta‘ala. Allah Ta‘ala has sent a Rasul to us and he instructed us not to prostrate to anyone but Allah Ta‘ala.”

The other Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) further mentioned, “We Muslims also greet Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in this manner with salaam, and we greet one another with salaam. Our Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) also informed us that the inhabitants of Jannah will greet each other with salaam. As for prostrating before anyone – may Allah Ta‘ala save us from prostrating before anyone besides him, and may Allah Ta‘ala save us from equating you to Him through prostrating before you.”

Addressing the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), Najaashi then enquired, “What is this new religion which you have chosen to follow that is different to Christianity and idol worship?”

In response to the Emperor’s enquiry, Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) stood to address the court on behalf of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/249-250)