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.
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 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 (peace be upon him) said:
“He will have thirty hasanat.”
Thus, each addition to the greeting increases the spiritual reward, showing how simple acts of kindness and good manners can earn immense blessings.
6. The Obligation of Returning Salam
Returning salam is not just a courtesy; it is a right and an obligation in Islam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated:
“The Muslim has five rights over his fellow Muslim: he should return his salam, visit him when he is sick, attend his funeral, accept his invitation, and pray for mercy for him when he sneezes.”
(Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
By returning salam, Muslims acknowledge the safety and goodwill offered by the person initiating the greeting. This ensures mutual respect and trust, building a community where peace and security prevail. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said that if two Muslims are estranged, the one who initiates salam is the better of the two, highlighting the role of salam in resolving conflicts and promoting reconciliation.
What is the purpose of Salam in Islam?
The purpose of Salam in Islam goes beyond a simple greeting. It carries profound spiritual, social, and moral significance. Here are the key purposes of Salam:
1. Promoting Peace and Safety
The word “Salam” means “peace,” and its use reflects the Islamic emphasis on spreading peace and safety among people. When Muslims greet each other with “As-Salamu ‘Alaykum” (Peace be upon you), they are offering a prayer for the other person’s well-being, safety, and protection from harm. This aligns with Islam’s core value of creating a peaceful and harmonious society.
2. Fostering Brotherhood and Unity
Salam helps foster a sense of brotherhood and unity within the Muslim community. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged Muslims to greet both those they know and those they do not know. By doing so, Salam breaks down barriers, promotes inclusiveness, and strengthens bonds of friendship and solidarity among Muslims, which is a cornerstone of Islamic social life.
3. Demonstrating Humility and Respect
Offering Salam is an act of humility and respect. It signifies that the person initiating the greeting acknowledges the other person with sincerity and goodwill, regardless of status or familiarity. It removes arrogance and promotes a sense of equality, showing that all Muslims are equal in their faith and in the eyes of Allah.
4. Encouraging Good Manners and Kindness
Salam is a key aspect of Islamic etiquette. It reflects good manners, kindness, and warmth towards others, which are highly valued traits in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of good character, and Salam is one of the simplest ways to demonstrate politeness and compassion in daily interactions.
5. Strengthening Faith and Obedience to Allah
The act of saying Salam carries spiritual rewards and is seen as a reflection of a Muslim’s faith. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that spreading Salam is a sign of one’s belief. Therefore, giving Salam is not just a social norm but also a way to seek Allah’s blessings and strengthen one’s commitment to Islamic teachings.
6. Earning Rewards and Forgiveness
According to various hadiths, greeting with Salam brings immense rewards. The Prophet (peace be upon him) described how extending Salam to others earns a person spiritual rewards, depending on the length and sincerity of the greeting. Additionally, Salam helps erase feelings of enmity or tension, fostering love and forgiveness among people, which is encouraged in Islam.
7. Promoting Love and Brotherhood in Society
As narrated in the hadith:
“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 among yourselves.”
(Sahih Muslim)
Through Salam, the love and affection between Muslims grow, and this sense of community and mutual care creates a society based on trust and cooperation, which is one of the aims of Islamic teachings.
In summary, the purpose of Salam in Islam is to spread peace, foster unity, demonstrate respect, encourage kindness, earn rewards, and build a loving, harmonious society. It is a practice deeply embedded in the values of faith, brotherhood, and peace.
7. Conclusion (importance of Salam in Islam)
The Importance of Salam in Islam cannot be overstated. It is more than a greeting; it is a manifestation of peace, love, and brotherhood. Through the act of giving and returning salam, Muslims fulfill a fundamental aspect of their faith, strengthen community ties, and earn immense rewards in the hereafter. By making salam a part of daily interactions, Muslims foster an environment of harmony and goodwill, in line with the values of Islam.
May we continue to spread salam and embody the principles of peace that are at the heart of our faith.
References:
- Al-Bukhari, Sahih Al-Bukhari
- Muslim, Sahih Muslim
- Ibn Hajar, Al-Fath
- Ibn Rajab, Al-Fath
- Al-Sanusi, Ikmal al-Mu’allim