at the time of departure as well, due to his saying (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam): "When one of you enters the mosque, let him greet, and when he leaves, let him greet, for the first is not more deserving than the other." This was narrated by Abū Dāwūd, al-Tirmidhī, and others with a good chain of transmission. Thus, the statement of some that shaking hands at the time of departure is an innovation has no basis. Indeed, if one examines the ḥadīths regarding shaking hands upon meeting, they are found to be more numerous and stronger than those regarding shaking hands at departure. A person with deep understanding of fiqh would conclude from this that the legitimacy of the second handshake is not of the same rank as the first; the first is sunnah, and the second is recommended. However, it is not an innovation, due to the evidence we mentioned. As for shaking hands after prayers, it is undoubtedly an innovation unless it is between two people who had not met before, in which case it is sunnah, as you know.

- "Indeed, the Prophet of Allāh Ayyūb (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) was afflicted with his trial for eighteen years, and his close and distant ones abandoned him except for two of his brothers who used to visit him in the morning and evening. One of them said to his companion one day: 'By Allāh, you know that Ayyūb has committed a sin that no one among the worlds has committed.' His companion said to him: 'And what is that?' He replied: 'For eighteen years, Allāh has not had mercy on him to relieve what is upon him.' When they went to Ayyūb, the man could not hold back until he mentioned that to him. Ayyūb said: 'I do not know what you two are saying, except that Allāh..