Salam in Islam: Spreading Peace Through Words

Since the dawn of time, greetings have been a primary means of human connection. Every culture, civilization, and religion has established its own unique way of greeting, varying by geography, language, and belief. However, the practice of Salam in Islam represents a universal and profound greeting that transcends place, time, and circumstance, uniting the Muslim community (Ummah) in a bond of love. This greeting is “As-salamu ‘Alaykum” (ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ) — meaning, “Peace be upon you.” This is not merely a polite phrase; it is a prayer, a promise, and a deep act of worship, seeking well-being for another from the Creator. One of the exalted names of Allah (God) is “As-Salam,” meaning The Giver of Peace. Therefore, when one Muslim greets another with Salam, they are essentially praying, “May the Giver of Peace be your protector and make your life peaceful.”

The Divine Commandment and the Role of Salam in Islam

The importance of the Salam in Islam is immense. It is not a man-made custom but a direct command from Allah the Almighty. In the Holy Quran, Allah states:

وَإِذَا حُيِّيْتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَسِيبًا

“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.”

[Surah An-Nisa (4):86]

This verse clearly instructs that when someone offers a greeting, it is obligatory (wajib) to respond with an even better greeting. It is a golden principle of social conduct, reflecting mutual respect and sincerity. The Salam is not just a social etiquette; it is an inseparable part of faith (Iman). It is the primary tool for fostering love and harmony among Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) linked three crucial concepts—faith, love, and paradise—directly to this practice.

It is narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“By the One in Whose hand is my soul! You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you of something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread the Salam amongst yourselves.”

(Sahih Muslim, Vol. 1 Hadis no.54)

The Rewards of Salam: The Better the Greeting, the Greater the Reward

The more beautiful and complete the phrasing of the Salam, the greater its reward. Simply saying “As-salamu ‘Alaykum” earns a reward, but adding more words of prayer increases that reward manifold. This principle of escalating rewards is a beautiful aspect of practicing Salam in Islam.

It is narrated from ‘Imran ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him):

“A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, ‘As-salamu ‘alaykum.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) responded to him and then said, ‘Ten.’ Another man came and said, ‘As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) responded to him and said, ‘Twenty.’ Then another man came and said, ‘As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) responded to him and said, ‘Thirty.’”

(Jami’ at-Tirmidhi Hadis no.2689)

From this hadith, we learn about the three levels of the Salam and their corresponding rewards of 10, 20, and 30 good deeds. Similarly, when responding to a Salam, we should strive to use a better phrase.

The Practical Etiquette of Salam in Islam

Islam teaches several beautiful manners and points of etiquette for exchanging Salam, which enhance its impact.

Correct Pronunciation and Sincere Feeling:

Since the Salam is an Arabic prayer, its correct pronunciation is crucial. The first letter of “‘Alaykum” (عَلَيْكُمْ) is ‘Ayn (ع), which is articulated from the back of the throat. We should avoid reciting it like a parrot and instead feel its meaning in our hearts. This sincerity is central to the true spirit of Salam in Islam.

Greeting the Known and the Unknown:

The beauty of Islam is that it removes barriers between people. When asked what the best acts in Islam were, the Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned greeting everyone. Greeting strangers reduces social distance, eliminates arrogance, and helps build a safe and friendly community, a key social benefit of Salam in Islam.

Who Should Initiate the Salam?

The Prophet (ﷺ) taught a hierarchy for initiating the Salam, which reflects social humility and respect. The one who is riding should greet the one who is walking, the walking should greet the sitting, and a smaller group should greet a larger group. The one who initiates the Salam is considered free of arrogance and more beloved to Allah.

Musafaha (Shaking Hands):

Accompanying the greeting with a handshake (musafaha) is an important Sunnah (prophetic tradition) that complements the verbal Salam in Islam, making the interaction warmer and more sincere. The Prophet (ﷺ) taught that when two Muslims meet and shake hands, their minor sins are forgiven before they part.

Greeting When Entering a Home:

It is a noble and blessed Sunnah to greet with Salam when entering any home, as commanded in the Qur’an. This beautiful practice brings with it peace, mercy, and divine blessings—even if no one is present inside. Allah says in the Qur’an:

فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُم بُيُوتًا فَسَلِّمُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِكُمْ تَحِيَّةً مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ مُبَارَكَةً طَيِّبَةً ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمُ الْآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

“But when you enter houses, give greetings of peace upon yourselves—a greeting from Allah, blessed and good. Thus does Allah make clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you may understand.”

(Surah An-Nur, 24:61)

This command emphasizes that offering Salam is not merely a social courtesy but a divine directive that nurtures tranquility and harmony within our spaces.

Salam: A Right of Every Muslim

While greeting a fellow Muslim is a great deed, responding to the Salam is their right upon you. The Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned five fundamental rights of a Muslim over another, which include returning the greeting. This hadith makes it clear how important it is to reply to a greeting. Fulfilling this duty is integral to upholding the rights established by the tradition of Salam in Islam.

Conclusion

Salam is not merely a word of greeting but a glorious symbol of Islam—a prayer, an act of worship, a sign of faith, a message of love, and a strong bond of Muslim brotherhood. It is a Sunnah that awakens the heart, strengthens relationships, and sows the seeds of peace in society. The comprehensive nature of Salam in Islam truly touches every part of a believer’s life. Let us safeguard this sacred trust of Salam. We should practice it with correct pronunciation, full phrasing, and sincere intention. By greeting everyone—whether known or unknown—we can build a society full of love and harmony.

May Allah grant us all the ability (Tawfiq) to act upon this noble Sunnah. Ameen.