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:
Virtue of Making Salaam First
Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who makes salaam first is free from pride.”
1. When you meet your Muslim brother, greet him with salaam.
Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “A Muslim has six rights over his Muslim brother. When he meets him, he should greet him (with salaam); if he invites him, he should accept his invitation; when he sneezes (and says alhamdulillah), he should reply to his sneeze by saying ‘Yarhamukallah’; when he falls ill, he should visit him; when he passes away, he should attend his janaazah; and he should love for him what he loves for himself.”
1. 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.”
1. The person who makes salaam first obtains greater reward.
Hazrat Abu Umaamah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who greets the people first with salaam is the closest of them to Allah Ta‘ala (i.e. He is closest to the mercy of Allah Ta‘ala).”
1. While you are relieving yourself, you should not make salaam to any person or reply to the salaam of any person. Similarly, if a person is relieving himself, you should not make salaam to him.
2. You should make salaam to your elders with humility in a low voice.
3. If you promise to convey the salaam of a person to someone else, it becomes waajib on you to fulfil the promise and convey the salaam.
1. One should not make salaam when greeting a non-Muslim. If a non-Muslim greets one with salaam, then one should reply by merely saying “Wa alaik” (and upon you), and if many non-Muslims greet one with salaam, one should reply by saying “Wa alaikum” (and upon you all).
2. When two Muslims meet, then after making salaam, they should make musaafahah (shake hands) with each other.
Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality