What is the ruling on bowing to the audience when going up on stage?

It is not permissible to bow in greeting to the public. There has been a difference of opinion regarding its ruling, whether it is haram (forbidden) or makrooh (disliked). Ibn Allan mentioned that bowing upon meeting in the manner of rukoo’ (bowing in prayer) is among the forbidden innovations. Imam An-Nawawi said: “It is disliked to bend the back in every situation for anyone.” The Fataawa Hindiyyah (Indian Fatwas) stated that bowing to a ruler or anyone else is disliked because it resembles the actions of the Magians. The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’ in Saudi Arabia issued a fatwa prohibiting bowing in greeting. It is mentioned in the Fiqh Encyclopedia that bowing with a lowered head that does not reach the extent of rukoo’ is neither disbelief nor forbidden, but it should be disliked. However, if the bowing reaches the extent of rukoo’, some scholars have gone to say that it is neither disbelief nor forbidden if one does not intend to glorify the other as one glorifies Allah, but it is disliked to the highest degree. Others have gone to say that it is forbidden even if it is not for the glorification of the creature. The preponderant opinion is that bowing in greeting is forbidden.