SALAM - The Divine Way Of Greeting
A greeting is something that we say or do upon meeting someone or passing by them.
HOW THE SALAAM (GREETING) BEGAN.
Narrated Abu Hurairah [radhi-yAllâhu 'anhu]: The Prophet [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam] said, "Allâh created Adam in His Image, sixty cubits (about 30 meters) in height. When He created him, He said (to him), 'Go and greet that group of angels sitting there, and listen what they will say in reply to you, for that will be your greeting and the greeting of your offspring.' Adam (went and) said, 'As-Salaamu 'Alaykum (peace be upon you).' They replied, 'As-Salaamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullah (Peace and Allâh's Mercy be on you).' So they increased 'wa Rahmatullah.' “
(Sahih Bukhari)
Allah(swt) says in Quran
Holy Quran (Saheeh International translation)
4:86. 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.
In above verses Allah orders us that if any one greets us we should greet him back with better or at least with same greetings.
Some one greets you with
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Reply (At least)
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Reply (Better)
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As salam wa alaikum.
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As salam wa alaikum.
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As salam wa alaikum wa rehmatullah
As salam wa alaikum wa rehmatullahu wa barkatuhu
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As salam wa alaikum wa rehmatullah
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As salam wa alaikum wa rehmatullah
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As salam wa alaikum wa rehmatullahu wa barkatuhu
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As salam wa alaikum wa rehmatullahu wa barkatuhu
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As salam wa alaikum wa rehmatullahu wa barkatuhu
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As salam wa alaikum wa rehmatullahu wa barkatuhu
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Practice of saying salutation by saying As salam wa awaikum is the mean to acheive faith
Saheeh Muslim
Bk 1, Number 0096:
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessing be upon him) observed: You shall not enter Paradise so long as you do not affirm belief (in all those things which are the articles of faith) and you will not believe as long as you do not love one another. Should I not direct you to a thing which, if you do, will foster love amongst you: (i. e.) give currency to (the practice of paying salutation to one another by saying) as−salamu alaikum.
Abu Hurairah said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'The rights a Muslim has over another Muslim are five." He was asked, "What are they?" He replied, "When he meets him, he should greet him, When he gives him an invitation, he should accept. When he asks him for advice, he should give him good counsel. When he sneezes and praises Allah, he should wish him mercy. When he is ill, he should visit him. When he dies, he should accompany him."
(Bukhari, Al Adab Al Mufrad)
At-Tufayl ibn Ubayy ibn Ka'b related that he used to visit 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar and would go with him to the market. He said, "When we went to the market, 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar did not pass by any rubbish collector nor merchant nor poor person nor anyone else without greeting them."(Bukhari)
'A'isha reported, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ''A'ish! This is Jibril who sends you greetings.' I said, 'And peace be upon him and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. You see what I do not see." By that she meant the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. (Bukhari)
Abu Hurayra said, "The most miserly of people is the person who is miserly with the greeting. The one who is cheated of good is the one who does not return it.
Peace is one of the Names of Allah which Allah has placed on the earth. Extend it among
you. When a man greets people and they answer him, then he has a higher degree than
them because he reminds them of peace. If no one answers him, he will be answered by one
who is better and more excellent.'" (Bukhari)
What we are suppose to say when someone wish us in bad way?
Answer is given in below hadiths of Prophet (saw) where Jews said “Death be upon you” to him and he only replied Wa alaikum.
Saheeh Muslim
Bk 26, Number 5386:
'A'isha reported that some Jews came to Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) and they said: Abu'l−Qasim (the Kunya of the Holy Prophet), as−Sam−u−'Alaikum (death be upon you), whereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Wa 'Alaikum. A'isha reported: In response to these words of theirs, I said: But let there be death upon you and disgrace also, whereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: 'A'isha, do not use harsh words. She said: Did you hear what they said? Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Did I not respond to them when they said that; I said to them: Wa'Alaikum (let it be upon you).
Saheeh Bukhari
4.186: Narrated `Aisha: Once the Jews came to the Prophet and said, "Death be upon you." So I cursed them. The Prophet said, "What is the matter?" I said, "Have you not heard what they said?" The Prophet said, "Have you not heard what I replied (to them)? (I said), ('The same is upon you.')"
As a muslim we are not supposed to use harsh words and best is to say Wa alaikum (let it be upon you).
Salam was the greeting of Prophet Jesus(pbuh) as mentioned in Bible
John
{20:19} Then the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you.
{20:21} Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you:
{20:26} And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: [then] came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you.
Luke
{24:36} And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you.
Jesus(pbuh) never spoke english. If we translate Peace be upon you in Hebrew it will be “Shalom lekm” which is almost similar to salam wa alaikum.
Hi/hello/good morning are modern terms and are far from perfect for example suppose we go to our friend’s house whose father died today can we say hi/ good morning/ have a nice day ahead????
No, but we can very well say Peace be upon you (as salam wa alaikum) in all situations.
