The Excellence of Salaam
by Sulaiman Kazi

Two people related by faith should use the expression of peace and security to address each
other. Thus Islam taught Muslims to say Assalamoalykum (Peace be with you), and replaced
all other formulas of greeting.

In this small greeting is hidden an excellent and comprehensive prayer, kindness and
affection for the young, and respect and attention for the elders.

Almighty Allah employs the same greeting in the Glorious Quraan to address His beloved
Prophets as a mark of His favour and esteem on them. "Peace be unto Nuh among the people"
(37:79); "Peace be unto Ibrahim" (37:109) "Peace be unto Musa and Harun" (37:120); "Peace be 
unto Ilyas" (37:130); "Peace be unto those sent (to warn)" (37:59); and "Peace be on His
slaves whom He hath chosen" (27:59). Believers, too, will be welcomed into Paradise with the 
same expression: "Enter them in Peace" (15:46) and "Peace be unto you because you preserved.
Ah, passing sweet will be the sequel of the (heavenly) home" (13:24).

Salaam is a distinctive practice of Islam. Muslims have been recommended to make common the
greeting. The Messenger of Allah, Sallallaho Alayhi Wasallam, said: "Oh people! Worship
Allah, the Beneficent, feed His bondsmen, and spread Salaam much, and you will reach Heaven
in safety." (Tirmidhi)

Divine reward for the blessed act of performing Salaam is explained in a Hadith. Once a
person came to the Prophet, Sallallaho Alayhi Wasallam, and said: "Assalamoalykum." The
Prophet, Sallallaho Alayhi Wasallam, returned the greeting, and when the man had sat down,
he said: "Ten good deeds have been written in his name owing to this Salaam." Thereafter
another person came and said: "Assalamoalykum Warahmatullahi" (Peace be with you, and the
mercy of God). The Prophet, Sallallaho Alayhi Wasallam, returned the greeting, and when the
man had sat down, he said: "Twenty good deeds have been written in his name." Then, another
man came and said: "Assalamoalykum Warahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh" (Peace be with you, and the
mercy of God, and His blessings). The Prophet, Sallallaho Alayhi Wasallam, returned the
greeting, and when the man had sat down, he said: "Thirty good deeds have been written in
his name." (Tirmidhi and Abu Dawood)

Such was the value of Salaam in the early Muslims that it is related Hadhrat Abdullah bin
Umar, Radhiyallo Anhu, would go to the market solely for the purpose of making greeting to
whoever he saw.

Salaam has a deep spiritual side besides signifying the sentiments of joy, regard and
well-wishing. The Messenger of Allah, Sallallaho Alayhi Wasallam, said: "He who is the first 
to greet is free from pride." (Baihaqi) Hence to take precedence in making the greeting is a
sign of freedom from vanity. It can also mean it is a cure for the grave sin of pride.

The importance of Salaam is further emphasised by the Prophet, Sallallaho Alayhi Wasallam,
who advised that Salaam should be exchanged a second time if after meeting a Muslim, even
for a brief moment, they are separated say by a tree, wall, or rock, and they meet again.

Salaam should be said when entering or leaving one's home. A Hadith informs us that this is
a source of blessing to the person saying it as well to the family members. Similarly, the
person arriving at a congregation should be the first to greet those who are present; the
young are instructed to take the lead in greeting the elders; those passing should greet
those sitting; and men of a smaller group should greet men of the larger group.

To shake the hand simultaneously with greeting marks the fulfilment of the aim and object of 
Salaam. The Messenger of Allah, Sallallaho Alayhi Wasallam, said; "Shaking hands denotes
the completion of greeting." (Tirmidhi and Abu Dawood)

Salaam is really a wonderful teaching of Islam. It not only increases love and affection
between Muslims but is also a cause of their forgiveness. The Prophet of Allah, Sallallaho
Alayhi Wasallam, said: When two Muslims meet and shake hands, and at the same time glorify
the Lord, and beg forgiveness for themselves, they will be forgiven." (Abu Dawood)

[Based on the chapter 'Rules and Proprieties of Meeting' from the book "Meaning and Message
of the Traditions" by Maulana Muhammad Manzoor Numani, Rahmatullahi Alayh.]