We used to greet the Prophet (ﷺ) while he used to be in prayers, and he used to reply to our greetings. But
when we came back from Najashi (the King of Ethiopia) we greeted him (while he was praying) and
he did not reply to us. We said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! We used to greet you in the past and you used to
reply to us." He said, "Verily The Mind is occupied and busy with more important matter during the
prayer." (So one cannot return One's greetings.)
Sahih al-Bukhari Book 63, Hadith 100