Is it permissible to return a greeting in public restrooms, even if one is not relieving oneself?

According to the jurists, it is disliked to offer greetings of peace (salam) to someone who is relieving himself, or to return his greeting, due to the hadiths narrated concerning this. Among them is the incident where the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not return the greeting of a man who saluted him while he was urinating, until he had performed ablution. He then said: "I disliked mentioning Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, except in a state of purity." One who offers greetings in this situation does not deserve a reply. Therefore, it is disliked to offer greetings of peace to someone inside restrooms. However, for someone who has finished and begun ablution, there is no harm in greeting him, and the reply becomes obligatory.