Greeting is considered to be the main constituent which commences the conveyance of other human communication elements. Different types of greetings are exercised by different communities according to their culture, geographical positions, theological beliefs and weather. Islam, being a way of life, gives us a single greeting and salutation which can be used everywhere and anywhere, upon anyone.
The Islamic greeting: As-salaamu ‘Alaykum means: May the peace of Allah be upon you.Salam contributes to a Muslim’s faith and his entry to jannah.
Abu Hurairah RAu reported:
Messenger of Allah SAWS said, “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you shall not believe until you love one another. May I inform you of something, if you do, you love each other. Promote salam amongst you”.
Salam is declared as the root which can sprout love among Muslims. Therefore, as people who are given the privilege of saying salam, it’s our duty to give its due rights and protect its sacredness. We should know the do’s and don’ts of conveying the Islamic greeting.
Insha’Allah, in this article let’s analyze some of the etiquette to be followed when we give salam.
Greet better or at least with the same greeting.
Allah SWT has commanded us to greet in return with something better than what we are greeted with, or to greet back with the same greeting.
He SWT says in the Qur’an,
“And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner]. Indeed, Allah is ever, over all things, an Accountant.” (An Nisa,4:86)
According to the majority of scholars, if someone greets us by saying, “As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum”; we should reply by saying, “Wa ‘Alaykumus-salaam Wa Rahmatullah”.
If we are greeted with “As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah” ; we should reply by saying , “Wa ‘Alaykumus-salaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatuh”.
If someone says, “As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh” ; we should say , “Wa ‘Alaykumus-salaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.” with a higher and happy tone.
This is because, Allah SWT has commanded us to greet the one who greeted with something better or at least stick to the same greeting.
The hadeeth below demonstrates how salam reaches its higher levels in terms of merits.
Narrated ‘Imran bin Husain :
“A man came to the Prophet SAWS and said: ‘As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum (Peace be upon you).’” [He said:] “So the Prophet SAWS said: ‘Ten.’ Then another came and he said: ‘As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah (Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah).’ So the Prophet SAWS said: ‘Twenty.’ Then another came and said: ‘As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh (Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah, and His Blessings).’ So the Prophet SAWS said: ‘Thirty.’”
Pronounce the salam correctly
When we verbally pronounce the salam, we should give extra care to pronounce the “ع” in “ ‘Alaykum”. Many of us mispronounce and even shorten the salam. The correct way of writing the salam has a huge contribution towards its pronunciation as well.
