عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه يقول: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : يسلم الراكب على الماشي والماشي على القاعد والقليل على الكثير (صحيح البخاري #6232، صحيح مسلم #2160)

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who is riding a conveyance should make salaam to the one who is on foot, and the one who is on foot should make salaam to the one who is seated, and the group who are less in number should make salaam to the group who are more in number.”

Note: Though this is the etiquette of Salaam, each person should endeavor to make Salaam first as this is more rewarding, creates more love in the hearts and is more distant from pride. The Hadith mentions that the one who makes Salaam first receives greater reward and making Salaam first is a sign of being free from pride. In one Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), “You will not enter Jannah until you have perfect Imaan, and you will not have perfect Imaan until you have love for one another. Should I not show you an action, which if you carry it out, love will be engendered in your hearts? Make Salaam a common practice among yourselves (whenever you meet each other).”