Salam and Islam
In all civilized nations of the world, it is customary to say a special word when meeting someone to express love, affection, respect, and goodwill, and to make the person familiar and happy. In few countries our brothers and sisters say “Namaste” when meeting someone. In this so-called advanced era, some enlightened people use the words “Good Night/Good Morning” and “Good Morning”. Hazrat Imran bin Hussain states that before Islam, it was the custom of the Arabs that when they met each other, they would greet each other with words like “Hayyaka Allah” (May Allah keep you alive), “Ana’am Allah bika ayin” (May Allah cool your eyes), “Ana’am sabah” (May your morning be pleasant), etc.
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When we emerged from the darkness of ignorance and entered the light of Islam, we were given the opportunity to It was forbidden, meaning instead, “As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuhu” was taught, which means “May you be safe from every pain, sorrow and calamity.” Ibn al-Arabi said in Ahkam al-Quran: The word “Salam” is one of the beautiful names of Allah Almighty, and “As-Salamu Alaikum” means “Allah is your protector.” (Mustafad iz-Ma’arif al-Quran 2/501).
The comprehensiveness and spirituality of Salam
Salam is a very comprehensive prayer word that is the best word for expressing love, affection and respect and it has many spiritual characteristics:
(1) Salam is one of the beautiful names of Allah. (Bukhari 2/920, Kitab al-Istidhān).
(2) This word is not only an expression of love; it is also a true expression of love, that is, a supplication to Allah Almighty to protect you from all calamities and pains.
(3)In the Arab style, it is not just a supplication for survival; rather, it is a supplication for a good life.
(4)The one who says Salam also promises his Muslim brother with his current language that you are safe from my hand and tongue, I am the protector of your life, property and honor.
(5) In the Holy Qur’an, this word has been used by Allah Almighty as honor and good news for the Prophets and Messengers, peace be upon them, and it is filled with grace and love, so God says, Peace be upon Noah in the worlds, Peace be upon Abraham. Peace be upon Moses and Aaron, peace be upon Ilyasin, peace be upon the Messengers, peace be upon the worshipers of those who have retired.
(6)The same greeting is offered to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).
(7) All believers are advised to send blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) with this word in their prayers.
(8)When the believers enter Paradise in the Hereafter, it will be said, “Enter it in peace, peace be upon you for what you have been patient, and indeed, the best is the final destination.” (Mustafaad from Ma’arif Al-Quran 2/501, Ma’arif Al-Hadith 6/149).
Importance and Virtues of Salam
Salaam, the motto of Islam, the greeting of the people of Paradise, brings one closer to Allah, creates love, removes hatred, bitterness and enmity, is a means of mutual relationship and trust, and is a source of reassurance for both parties. This is why the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) strongly emphasized the Muslims to spread and spread the greeting of Salam among themselves so that the atmosphere of the Islamic world would be filled with its waves, and he declared it the best of deeds and explained its virtues, blessings, rewards and rewards.
The Sunnah of Islamic greeting has been going on since Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him); thus Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) says: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: When Allah Almighty created Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him), He said: O Adam! Go to this group of angels and greet them. So Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him) went and said, “Assalamu Alaikum” to a group of angels. The angels replied, “Wa alaikum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.” Allah the Almighty said, “O Adam, this greeting is for you and your descendants.” (Bukhari, Kitab al-Istidhān, 2/219)
In Sahih Muslim, it is narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
You will not enter Paradise until you become believers and your faith is perfected and you love one another. I will tell you something that if you act upon it, will establish love among you, which is to greet one another with greetings, meaning to greet every Muslim, whether you know him or not. (Muslim Kitab al-Iman 1/54)
Worship the Most Gracious, feed the servants of God (the needy and the poor as charity, and the dear friends and the righteous servants of God as gifts, out of sincerity and love, which is the best way to unite people and create love and affection for each other) and spread peace, and you will reach Paradise in complete safety (Tirmidhi, Bab al-Istidhān 2/98, Abu Dawud, Abū ābūb al-Salām 2/706)
In a hadith, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to Anas:
O my son, when you go to your family, greet them with peace, for this greeting will be a blessing for you and your family. (Tirmidhi 2/99)
He said: “Feeding the servants of Allah and greeting everyone, whether known or unknown, is the best of deeds.” (Bukhari 2/921).
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has strongly emphasized the importance of greetings in the Muslim community, so he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “When one of you meets his brother, he should greet him, then after a while, if a wall, tree or stone comes between him, then he should greet him again, meaning he should greet him as many times as he meets him.” (Abu Dawud 2/707)
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has strongly emphasized the importance of spreading greetings in the Muslim community. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: When one of you meets his brother, he should greet him, then after a while, if a wall, tree or stone comes between them, he should greet him again, meaning he should greet him as many times as he meets them. (Abu Dawud 2/707)
Hazrat Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The stingiest person is the one who is stingy in greeting. (Mishkat: 400).
The reward and reward of greeting
Saluting is Sunnah and responding is Wajib. The reward of the Wajib is greater than the Sunnah, but the reward of the Sunnah of greeting is greater than the Wajib. (Marqa’at al-Mufatih 8/421, Chapter al-Salam)
When a Muslim is greeted, it is obligatory for him to respond. If he does not respond without a legitimate excuse, he will be a sinner. However, there are two options for responding: one is to respond in better words than the words in which the greeting was given, and the other is to respond in the exact same words. (Ma’arif al-Quran 2/504)
Hazrat Imran bin Husayn said: A man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said: “Assalamu alaikum.” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) returned the greeting, and the man sat down. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Ten good deeds.” After a while, another man came and said: “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied. The man sat down. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Twenty good deeds.” After a while, a third man came and said: “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Thirty good deeds.” (Tirmidhi 2/98, Abu Dawud 2/706).
Greetings
(1)Be the first to greet; because being the first to greet creates humility and humility, and Allah loves humility from His servants.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Among the people, the most deserving of Allah’s closeness and mercy is the servant who is the first to greet.” (Tirmidhi 2/99, Abu Dawud 2/706)
(2)Say the greeting loudly enough for the one being greeted to hear it easily, otherwise he will not be entitled to a response, and the one who responds should also respond loudly enough, otherwise he will not be exempted from the responsibility of responding. (Al-Adhkar An-Nawawiyyah: 195)
(3)When someone greets you, respond in a better way, at least in the same words.
Allah the Almighty says: When you are greeted, respond in a better way, or in the same way. (An-Nisa: 86)
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) explained this verse by his own actions in this way: Once a companion came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, “As-salamu alaykum ya Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).” He added one word in response and said, “Wa alaikum as-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.” Then another companion came and said these words in his greeting, “As-salamu alaykum ya Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, “As-salamu alaykum ya Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, “Wa alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.” Then another companion came and added three words in his greeting, “As-salamu alaykum ya Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, “Wa alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.” He only said one word in response, “Wa alaikum.” He felt a complaint in his heart and said, “O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)! May my parents be sacrificed for you? The previous companions who came to them recited many words of supplication in response. He said, “And I greeted you with all these words, so you only said, ‘Waalika’.” He said, “You have not left any word for us to add to our response. You have included all the words in your greeting. Therefore, we have only responded to your greeting with a similar response in accordance with the teachings of the Quran.” This narration has been narrated by Ibn Jarir and Ibn Abi Hatim with different chains of transmission. (Ma’arif al-Quran 2/503)
(4) Greet the beloved, the friend, the young, the old, the known and the unknown. (Bukhari 2/921)
(5) A small group should greet a large group. (Bukhari 2/921)
(6) A rider should greet a pedestrian. (Bukhari 2/921)
(7) A pedestrian should greet a seated person. (Bukhari 2/921)
(8) A younger person should greet an older person. (Bukhari 2/921)
(9) A mahram should greet his relatives. (Tirmidhi 2/99)
(10) When entering a house or a mosque, and no one else is there, he should greet with these words: As-Salamu ‘alayhi wa ‘alayhi ibada Allah al-Salihin (Hindiyyah 5/326)
(11) If someone absent greets him, he should respond with this: Wa ‘alayhi wa ‘alayhi wa ‘alayhi wa ’alayhi wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu (Tirmidhi 2/99)
(13)If one person greets a group, it is sufficient for one person to respond, but it is preferable for all those present to respond. (Abu Dawud 2/708)
(14) If there is a group greeting, it is sufficient for just one person to greet; however, it is preferable for all to greet. (Al-Adhkar an-Nawawiyyah: 196)
(15) If there is a mixed gathering of Muslims and non-Muslims, he should greet with the intention of a Muslim. (Bukhari 2/924)
(16) When he finishes meeting someone and starts to leave, he should say the salaam of farewell, this is also the Sunnah. (Tirmidhi 2/100)
(17) When he writes a letter to someone, he should start the speech with “As-salamu alaikum.” (Bukhari 2/926)
(18)If a Muslim is deaf or blind, he should also make a gesture with his hand and say the word “Salamu alaikum” with his tongue, and not just make a gesture. (Al-Adhkar al-Nawawiyyah: 196).
(19) Adding more words to the greeting or the reply to the greeting, “As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu,” is against the Sunnah. (Ma’arif al-Quran 2/504)
(20) If he writes a letter to a non-Muslim, he should write “As-salamu ali min atb al-huda.” (Bukhari 2/924).
Who is it disliked to greet?
(1) It is disliked to greet an infidel, and if he greets first, then he should be content with “Alaikum.” (Mirqat 8/420)
(2) Greeting a heretic (Shamī 2/377, Mufsadat al-Salāt)
(3) It is disliked to greet a person who is involved in sin and corruption in public. (Bukhari 2/925)
(4) It is disliked to greet young foreign women and foreign men. If the stranger is very old or old, then it is permissible to greet him. (Hindiyyah 5/326)
(5) Greeting an innovator. (Mirqat 8/420)
Note: Greeting an infidel out of necessity, i.e. using social words such as “Good morning,” “Good morning,” etc., is not permissible to say the religious words “Namaste.” (Al-Adhkar an-Nawawiyyah: 202, Fatawa al-Rahimiyah 6/256)
Because in the current situation, they are not in a position to respond. (Shamī 2/375).
It is not obligatory to respond to the greeting in the above cases; however, in some cases, one can pause the action and respond, and in some cases, there is no room for response at all.
