How is it to greet a faasiq? If one fears fitnah, may one greet a faasiq?

Answer

Initiating Salaam to a faasiq is not permissible. It is Makrooh Tahreemi. Fitnah is an ambiguous term, especially in the context you have used it. If the faasiq is displeased if one refrains from greeting him, so let him feel displeased. Think of Allah's displeasure, not of the faasiq's displeasure. However, there are certain, in fact many cases, when the faasiq is ignorant. He does not have the slightest notion of him being a faasiq. Due to large scale jahaalat, it will not be Makrooh Tahrimi to greet such an ignorant faasiq. However, if the person is not a jaahil, and if he knows that shaving the beard, for example, is sinful, then he should not be greeted. In short, in these times you have to use your discretion and view cases intelligently. One cannot always act uniformly. Different standards will have to be adopted. But such adoption should be based on intelligence and sincerity, not used as a cover for one's own weakness. For example, if you greet a faasiq out of fear for him or respect for his seniority, don't justify your error. Acknowledge that you have violated the law due to weakness.

If a faasiq sneezes and recites the masnoon dua, respond to him. It is like responding to the Athaan of a faasiq. Although it is not permissible to appoint a faasiq to recite the Athaan, nevertheless, the response to the Athaan remains incumbent.