Islam has taught us to greet fellow Muslims with the words ‘Asalām Alaykum’ at every opportunity. There are certain practices that we perform which are often neglected and which are not perhaps fully appreciated. Greeting Muslims with salām certainly is one of these practices that we do not truly value. The purpose of this paper is to show the philosophy, wisdom and superiority of greeting one another in the proper Islamic fashion.
i. Saying salām brings immense reward.
The Prophet was once sitting with his Companions when a Muslim arrived. He greeted the gathering with the words ‘Asalām Alaykum’. After replying, the Prophet replied ‘ten’.
Another Companion soon appeared who said ‘Asalām Alaykum wa Rahmat Allāh’. The Prophet and his Companions replied, and then the Prophet said ‘twenty.’ A third and final Companion appeared and said ‘Asalām Alaykum wa Rahmat Allāh wa Barakātuhu’. The Prophet returned the greetings and then said ‘thirty’. The Messenger of Allāh was indicating that each form of salām has its own units of reward, with ‘Asalām Alaykum wa Rahmat Allāh wa Barakātuhu’ being the most lucrative. Just be greeting our fellow Muslims, we can reap an immense benefit in rewards from our Lord.
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This is also a healthy reminder not to neglect even the smaller ways to gain units of reward from Allāh. Saying hello or good morning also has the same function as Asalām Alaykum, but not the same reward.
ii. Saying salām is a du’a.
The meaning of Asalām Alaykum is ‘may peace descend upon you.’ So the Muslim form of greeting is not just a greeting, but a comprehensive du’ā asking for peace in this world and the hereafter.
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This is indictaes that we should pray for our Muslim brothers and sisters at all times and at every opportunity. Our du’ās should be for all and not just for ourselves. The biggest indication of this point is that most of the Qur’anic du’ās begin with rabbanā (our Lord) rather than rabbī (my Lord).
iii. Saying salām is a reminder of our aspirations.
For Muslims, the ultimate goal is to win the pleasure of Allāh and gain a place in paradise for eternity. Beforehand, Allāh Almighty wants us to acclimatise to this place and to employ its language in advance. In a hadith recorded by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad, the Prophet said that ‘the salām is the greeting of the people of paradise.’ When the angels welcome the inhabitants of paradise to their eternal abode, their first words will be:
Salām Alaykum! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein’ (39:73)
In fact, one of the many names of paradise is ‘Salām’. The Qur’an states:
And Allāh calls you to the house of Salām (Dar al-Salām).
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In this world, it is easy to lose focus on what our purpose of life is. Saying Asalām Alaykum constantly reminds us of our end goal; the pleasure of Allāh and a place in paradise.
iv. Salām is one of the names of Allāh.
When you greet one another with the word salām, we are in fact mentioning of the beautiful names of Allāh Almighty. Therefore, simply by greeting Muslims, we are also engaging in the zikr (remembrance) of Allāh. Seen in this light, our greeting is a request that ‘may Allāh guard over you.’
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As the Qur’an clearly indicates, it is through the constant remembrance of Allāh that we believers find true content of heart. Even in our customary greetings, the importance of zikr is stressed and emphasised.
v. Salām is a method of reconciliation.
Islam accepts that there will be times when there are fallouts, disputes and misunderstandings between Muslims. Our Messenger commanded us to ensure that such disputes do not extend beyond three days. He also added that the ‘best from the two is the one who begins with salām.’ So therefore, saying salām is a way of easing tensions and restoring peace between Muslim parties.
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Saying Asalām Alaykum is the ice-breaker that removes friction and anxiety.
vi. Salām is a means of riches.
Sahl ibn Sa’d al-Sā’idī reports that a man complained to the Messenger of Allāh of poverty and a restricted living standard. So the Messenger instructed him that:
When you enter your house, then perform salām [to the inhabitants] if there is someone home. And if there is no one home, then perform salām upon me and recite Surat al-Ikhlās three times.
The man acted upon this order. As a result, Allāh blessed him with so much wealth that even his neighbours benefitted from his new-found riches (Tafsir al-Qurtubi, Commentary of Surat al-Ikhlās).
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The hadith is really indicating what baraka (blessings) is. It is when we perform an act expecting little but gain much more. Sometimes a meal is laid down for four but it is easily consumed by seven. We say that the food has baraka. Saying Asalām Alaykum does not for us expect to lead to much gain, but Allāh provides more than we first assume.
This report also informs us implicitly that the Messenger of Allāh spiritually lives in the home of every believer. Otherwise, there would be no point is sending salām to him.
vii. Salām is where we derive the name of our religion.
The name of our religion – Islam – is taken from the same word we use to greet one another. Islam means peace and submission. This itself is an acknowledgement that the overwhelming feature of our religion is peace, harmony, love and compassion.
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Based on this reality, it is impossible for our religion to support bloodshed, terrorism and murder if by name, Islam means peace. Those who act with violence in the name of our religion have simply misunderstood what Islam means and stands for. The White House is so-called because it is predominantly white. Islam is so-called because it is the perfect reflection of peace and mercy.