2. Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has encouraged us in the Mubaarak Ahaadith to make salaam a common practice among ourselves. Making salaam will be a means of creating love and unity among ourselves.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “You will not enter Paradise until you bring Imaan, and you will not acquire perfect Imaan until you possess mutual love. Shall I not show you a method whereby you will be able to inculcate mutual love among yourselves? Make salaam a common practice among yourselves (i.e. at the time of meeting each other).” ^[2]

3. The sunnah of salaam is to greet all Muslims, not only one’s family, friends and acquaintances.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that a man once asked Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “Which feature and etiquette of Islam is highly commendable and good?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Feeding the creation and greeting people with salaam, whether you know them or not.” ^[3]

4. You should make salaam by saying “Assalaamu alaikum.” You may also make salaam by saying “Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullah” or “Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu”. By making a longer salaam, you will receive more reward. ^[4]

Hazrat Imraan bin Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that a person once came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and greeted him saying, “Assalaamu alaikum.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied to the salaam and the person sat down in the gathering. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “He has received ten rewards.” Thereafter, another person came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and greeted him saying, “Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied to the salaam and the person sat down in the gathering. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “He has received twenty rewards.” Thereafter, another person came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and greeted him saying, “Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied to the salaam and the person sat down in the gathering. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “He has received thirty rewards.” ^[5]

5. If a Muslim greets you with salaam, it will be compulsory for you to reply to the salaam, unless you have a valid excuse e.g. you are eating, reciting the Quraan Majeed, etc. Though it is not compulsory for you to reply to the salaam in these cases, it is permissible for you to reply. ^[6]

6. It is makrooh to greet a person involved in any Deeni activity or while he is eating, etc. ^[7]

7. Do not make salaam to non-mahrams. If a non-mahram woman makes salaam to a man, then if she is an old woman, regarding whom there is no fear of fitnah, then one may reply to her salaam. However, if it is a young woman making salaam, then one should not verbally reply to the salaam. Rather, one may reply to the salaam within one’s heart. ^[8]

8. When replying to the salaam, it is permissible for you to reply with a salaam that is equal to the greeting received. However, if you reply with a longer salaam it will be better and more rewarding. For example, if you were greeted with the words “Assalaamu alaikum”, then you may reply by saying “Wa alaikumus salaam”. However, it is better and more rewarding for you to say “Wa alaikumus salaam wa rahmatullah” or “Wa alaikumus salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu.” ^[4]

Allah Ta‘ala mentions in the Quraan Majeed, “And when you are greeted with a greeting, then greet with a better greeting than it or return it (in a like manner).” ^[9]

9. The words of salaam end with “Wa barakaatuhu”. One should not add any other words after “Wa barakaatuhu”. ^[4]

Muhammad bin Amr bin Ataa’ (rahimahullah) reports: On one occasion, I was seated with Abdullah bin Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) when a person from Yemen entered the gathering and made salaam saying, “Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa baraakatuhu,” and he then added some words to the salaam. At that time, Abdullah bin Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) had lost his sight, hence he asked, “Who is this person?” His companions said, “This is the person from Yemen who frequents your gatherings.” They described the person until Abdullah bin Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) recognized him. Abdullah bin Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) then said, “Salaam ends with barakah (i.e. by saying wa baraakatuhu).”^[10]

10. When replying to the salaam of a person, reply to the salaam verbally and not by a mere sign of the hand or a nod of the head. ^[11]

^[1] سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 2736، وقال: هذا حديث حسن

^[2] صحيح مسلم، الرقم: 54

^[3] صحيح البخاري، الرقم: 12

^[4] ولا يزيد الراد على وبركاته

قال العلامة ابن عبدين رحمه الله: (قوله ولا يزيد الراد على وبركاته) قال في التتارخانية: والأفضل للمسلم أن يقول: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته والمجيب كذلك يرد، ولا ينبغي أن يزاد على البركات شيء (رد المحتار 6/414)

^[5] سنن أبي داود، الرقم: 5197، سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 2689 وقال الترمذي: هذا حديث حسن غريب من هذا الوجه

^[6] قال في شرح الشرعة: واعلم أنهم قالوا إن السلام سنة واستماعه مستحب وجوابه أي رده فرض كفاية وإسماع رده واجب بحيث لو لم يسمعه لا يسقط هذا الفرض عن السامع حتى قيل لو كان المسلم أصم يجب على الراد أن يحرك شفتيه ويريه بحيث لو لم يكن أصم لسمعه (رد المحتار 6/413)

^[7] ويكره السلام على الفاسق لو معلنا وإلا لا كما يكره على عاجز عن الرد حقيقة كآكل أو شرعا كمصل وقارئ ولو سلم لا يستحق الجواب (الدر المختار 6/415)

(قوله كآكل) ظاهره أن ذلك مخصوص بحال وضع اللقمة في الفم والمضغ وأما قبل وبعد فلا يكره لعدم العجز وبه صرح الشافعي وفي وجيز الكردري مر على قوم يأكلون إن كان محتاجا وعرف أنهم يدعونه سلم وإلا فلا اهـ. وهذا يقضي بكراهة السلام على الآكل مطلقا إلا فيما ذكره ط (قوله ولو سلم لا يستحق الجواب) أقول: في البزازية: وإن سلم في حال التلاوة فالمختار أنه يجب الرد بخلاف حال الخطبة والأذان وتكرار الفقه اهـ. وإن سلم فهو آثم تتارخانية وفيها والصحيح أنه لا يرد في هذه المواضع اهـ. فقد اختلف التصحيح في القارئ وعند أبي يوسف يرد بعد الفراغ أو عند تمام الآية وفي الاختيار وإذا جلس القاضي ناحية من المسجد للحكم لا يسلم على الخصوم ولا يسلم عليه لأنه جلس للحكم والسلام تحية الزائرين فينبغي أن يشتغل بما جلس لأجله وإن سلموا لا يجب عليه الرد وعلى هذا من جلس يفقه تلامذته ويقرئهم القرآن فدخل عليه داخل فسلم وسعه أن لا يرد لأنه إنما جلس للتعليم لا لرد السلام اهـ. (رد المحتار 6/415)

^[8] ولا يكلم الأجنبية إلا عجوزا عطست أو سلمت فيشمتها ويرد السلام عليها وإلا لا انتهى (الدر المختار 6/369)

^[9] سورة النساء: 86

^[10] المؤطا للإمام محمد، صـ 385

^[11] وفي الغياثية يكره السلام بالسبابة (البحر الرائق شرح كنز الدقائق 8/236)