The Impact of Salam | Spreading Peace and Unity in Islam 2025
The term “Salam” originates from the Arabic root word S-L-M, meaning peace, safety, and security. It is used as a greeting among Muslims, typically in the phrase “As-Salamu Alaikum”, meaning “Peace be upon you.” The concept of Salam holds deep significance in Islam, rooted in both the Quran and Hadith. Allah commands believers to exchange greetings of peace in a manner that is equal or better: “When a [courteous] greeting is offered to you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or [at least] of equal courtesy. Surely, Allah takes account of all things.” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:86) Salam is also described as the greeting of the people of Paradise: “Their greeting on the Day they meet Him will be, ‘Peace.’ And He has prepared for them a noble reward.” (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:44) The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized spreading Salam as a means of fostering love and unity: “You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not guide you to something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread Salam among yourselves.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 54) Importance of Salam in Islam Praise be to Allah. In Islam, the word “Salam” holds deep significance, representing peace, safety, and well-being. It is more than just a greeting; it is an essential part of Islamic faith and practice. Salam fosters brotherhood, love, and unity among Muslims and carries with it a sense of respect and humility. This article delves into the Importance of Salam in Islam, its origins, and the spiritual rewards associated with it. Exchanging Salam is also considered a charitable act: “To greet someone with Salam is an act of charity.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 2989) 1. The Custom of Greeting Before Islam Before Islam, greeting customs varied across cultures, each with its own distinctive form of expression. Among the Arabs, phrases like An`im sabahan (equivalent to “Good morning”) were commonly used. This greeting was derived from the concept of al-ni’mah, meaning good living. The idea was that a person who encountered good fortune in the morning would experience a good day overall. However, these greetings lacked deeper spiritual meanings and were largely centered on material well-being or customary politeness. With the advent of Islam, Allah prescribed a new greeting that reflected the essence of faith and unity among Muslims. 2. The Islamic Greeting: “As-Salamu ‘Alaykum” When Islam was revealed, Allah established that Muslims should greet each other with As-Salamu ‘Alaykum, meaning “Peace be upon you.” This greeting was unique to Muslims and signified a shift from the material-focused greetings of pre-Islamic Arabia. The word salam stems from the root S-L-M, which encompasses meanings of peace, safety, and protection from harm and faults. The phrase is not merely a wish for peace; it invokes one of Allah’s names, As-Salam (The Peace). Therefore, when a Muslim says As-Salamu ‘Alaykum, they are essentially invoking the blessings of Allah’s name, wishing safety and peace upon the person being greeted. The preposition “‘ala” in the greeting indicates that the peace is descending upon the person, making the greeting inclusive and spiritually enriching. As Ibn al-Qayyim stated in his work Badai’ al-Fawaid: “Allah, the Sovereign, the Most Holy, the Peace, prescribed that the greeting among the people of Islam should be As-Salamu ‘Alaykum, which is better than all the greetings of other nations… because it has the meaning of safety, which is life, without which nothing else can be achieved.” 3. Spreading Salam: A Sign of Faith The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of spreading salam as part of the Islamic faith. In a well-known hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The best thing in Islam is feeding others and giving the greeting of salam to those whom you know and those whom you do not know.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) This hadith shows that salam is not reserved for acquaintances but should be extended to all Muslims, fostering inclusivity and brotherhood. Ibn Hajar, commenting on this hadith, explains: “Do not single out anybody out of arrogance or to impress them, but do it to honor the symbols of Islam and to foster Islamic brotherhood.” By spreading salam, Muslims break barriers of arrogance and exclusivity, creating a sense of unity and love within the community. Ibn Rajab elaborates that greeting with salam, combined with charitable actions such as feeding others, represents the highest form of good treatment (ihsan) in Islam. 4. Salam as a Source of Love and Brotherhood Salam is also a key to creating love among Muslims. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salam amongst yourselves.” (Narrated by Muslim, Ahmad, and Al-Tirmidhi) This hadith links the act of spreading salam to achieving faith and entering Paradise. It demonstrates that peace and brotherhood are not merely social niceties but essential components of belief. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that love between Muslims can be strengthened through this simple act of greeting, which fosters feelings of security and belonging. 5. The Reward for Giving Salam In Islam, even a small act like greeting someone with salam carries great spiritual rewards. In a narration reported by Al-Nasai, Al-Bukhari, and Ibn Hibban, it is mentioned that a man passed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and greeted him with Salam ‘Alaykum. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “He will have ten hasanat (rewards).” Another man passed by and said Salam ‘Alaykum wa Rahmatullah (Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “He will have twenty hasanat.” Yet another man greeted him by saying Salam ‘Alaykum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuhu (Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings). The Prophet
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