Imâm Sâlih bin Fawzân al-Fawzân
Question: If a person greets me with Salâm while I’m reading the Qur’ân, should I respond – or finish the âyah first?
Answer: Finish the âyah; finish the âyah first – and then respond to him. It is not prescribed to greet the one who is reading the Qur’ân with Salâm, because it distracts him and diverts his attention. Greet him after he finishes.