Circulating the Salaam

Contents > Islamic Personality > Circulating the Salaam

Ifshaa' as-Salaam - You must circulate the salutation (peace). Allah says,


“But when you are greeted with a greeting [of peace], answer with an even better greeting, or [at least] with the like thereof. Verily, Allah keeps count indeed of all things.” al-Qur’an, Surah al-Nisaa’, 4: 86

Allah says,

“But whenever you enter houses, greet one another with salaam, as enjoined by Allah. In this way Allah makes clear unto you His messages, so that you might [learn to] use your reason.” al-Qur’an, Surah al-Noor, 24: 61

al-Baraa’ ibn Aazib (ra) said,

“The Prophet (saw) ordered us with seven, visiting the sick, following the funerals, invoking mercy on the one who sneezes, supporting the weak, helping the oppressed, circulating the salaam and helping people to fulfil their oaths.” Saheeh al-Bukhari

The Prophet (saw) said:

"The rights of a Muslim on another Muslim are six, one of them if you meet a Muslim say Assalam Alaykum." Saheeh Muslim, Hadith no. 2162

The salutation of a Muslim to another Muslim is performed by saying, “Assalamu ‘Alaykum (May the Peace [of Allah ] be upon you)”, this can be increased by adding the following words “Wa Rahmatullah (and the Mercy of Allah [be upon you]), this can be further increased (perfected) by saying “Wa Barakatuhu (and His Blessings [be upon you])”. The reply must be atleast of the same level of the initial salutation, or more. The minimum reply to the salutation is, “Wa ‘Alaykum As-Salam (and may Peace [of Allah ”, and to this can be added “Wa Rahmatullah” or “Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu”.

The salutation is only for fellow Muslims, and not to be circulated to non-Muslims (i.e. Kuffar). If a Kafir does offer Salam to a Muslim then our relpy is by saying, “Wa ‘Alaykum (and same be upon you)”.

< Prev --- | --- Next >