Salaam is the greeting of Islam. Just as Islam stands for peace, the greeting of Islam is a greeting of peace and extends the message of peace. Salaam is one of the Islamic practices which are the hallmark of a Muslim and its importance has been greatly emphasized in the Mubaarak Ahaadith.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Salaam (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports:

At the time Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) migrated to Madinah Tayyibah, the people of Madinah Tayyibah rushed to receive him. I heard someone call out thrice, “The messenger of Allah has arrived! The messenger of Allah has arrived! The messenger of Allah has arrived!”

I also proceeded with the people to observe for myself (the personality whom people claimed to be a messenger of Allah, though I had not yet embraced Islam till then). No sooner did my sight fall on the countenance of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) than I was convinced that this face cannot be the face of an imposter or liar.

The first words I heard him utter while addressing the people (on that happy occasion) were, “O people! Make salaam a common practice amongst yourselves (at the time of meeting each other), feed the creation, join family ties, stand up in salaah during night while people are asleep, in this way, you will be blessed to enter Paradise with peace.’” ^[1]