In Islam, the act of offering the greeting of peace, “As-salamu ‘alaykom,” is a virtuous act that brings many rewards.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) has said that each greeting is rewarded with ten, twenty or thirty good deeds (depending on the variation of the greeting). Furthermore, shaking hands while greeting is a means of forgiveness and removal of sins.
Find out below the special status and many virtues of greeting others with “Salam” in Islam.
1. Greeting with al-salamu ‘alaykom is one of the best aspects of Islam
A man asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), “What is the best act of Islam?” He said, “To feed others and to give greetings of Salam (peace) to those whom you know and to those whom you do not know. ” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari (12) in the chapter, “To greet is a part of Islam”, Muslim (39), Abu Dawud (5194), Al-Nasa’i (5000), Ibn Majah (3253) and Ahmad (6581)).
Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Islam is to worship Allah without associating any partner with Him, to establish prayer, to give charity, to fast the month of Ramadan, to perform pilgrimage to the House, to enjoin good and forbid evil, and to greet your people with peace. Whoever neglects anything from them has abandoned a part of Islam, and whoever neglects all of them has thrown Islam behind his back.” (Narrated by Al-Hakim (53) and Al-Bayhaqī (8844). Al-Hakim said: “Sahih according to the conditions of Al-Bukhari”).
2. Giving Salam to others is a means to enter paradise
Hani bin Yazid reported that he said, “O Messenger of Allah, guide me to an action that will lead me to paradise.” He told me, “Certainly, among the deeds that bring forgiveness are spreading peace and speaking kindly.” (Narrated by al-Tabarani (469) and Ibn Hibban (490). Classed as Hasan by Al-Iraqi in Al-Ihya’ (2/246)).
Abu Shurayh reported that He said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me something that will guarantee Paradise for me.” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Speak kind words, offer peace, and feed the hungry.” (Narrated by Ibn Hibban, classed as Sahih by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Targheeb (2699)).
In another report, Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Feed the hungry, spread peace, speak kind words, and pray at night when people are sleeping. You will enter Paradise in peace.” (Narrated by Al-Bazzar in Kashf Al-Astar (1/346, No. 719) and Al-Tabarani as in Majma’ Al-Zawa’id (5/17). Al-Haythami said: “It contains Hafs bin Aslam, and he is weak.”)
Abu Hurayrah reported 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 salam among yourselves.'” (Narrated by Muslim (54), Abu Dawud (5193), Al-Tirmidhi (2688), Ibn Majah (68) and Ahmad (9709)).
3. You will get rewarded for saying Salam to others
‘Imran bin Husain and Abu Hurayrah related that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: ‘As-Salamu ‘Alaykum (Peace be upon you).’, So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) returned his greeting and then said: ‘Ten good deeds.’ Then another came and he said: ‘As-Salamu ‘Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah (Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah).’ So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Twenty good deeds.’ Then another came and said: ‘As-Salamu ‘Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh (Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah, and His Blessings).’ So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Thirty good deeds.'”
(Narrated by Abu Dawad (5195), Al-Tirmidhi (2689), Al-Nasa’i in ((Al-Sunan Al-Kubra)) (10169), Ibn Hibban (493) and Ahmad (19949). Ibn Hajar said: “Its chain of transmission is strong” (Fath al-Bari, 11/8)).
Sahl ibn Hunayf reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Whoever greets with peace, ten goods are recorded for him. Whoever greets with peace and the mercy of Allah, twenty good deeds are recorded for him. Whoever greets with peace, the mercy of Allah, and his blessings, thirty good deeds are recorded for him.” (Narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah in ((Al-Musnad)) (56) and Al-Tabarani (6/75) (5563) with a da’if chain of narrators).
4. Giving Salam and shaking hands removes sins
Al-Bara’ ibn Azib related that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There are no two Muslims who meet and shake hands but they will be forgiven before they part.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud (5212), Al-Tirmidhi (2727), Ibn Majah (3703) and Ahmad (18547). Classed as Hasan (good) by Ibn Abdul-Barr in Al-Tamhid (21/13)).
Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamaan related that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Indeed, when one believer meets another, greets him with salaam and shakes his hands, their sins fall away like leaves falling from a tree.” (Narrated by Ibn Wahb in “Al-Jami’” (250), Al-Tabarani in “Al-Awsat” (1/84 No. 245) and Ibn Shaheen in “Al-Targheeb” (427). Classed as Sahih by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Targheeb (2720)).
5. One of the names of Allah is Al-Salam
Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Indeed, peace is one of the names of Allah Exalted that He has placed upon the earth, so spread peace between yourselves.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari in “Al-Adab Al-Mufrad” (989). Classed as Hasan by Shuaib Al-Arnaout).
6. You will receive peace
Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Spread peace and you will receive peace.” (Narrated by Ahmad (18553), Al-Bukhari in ((Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)) (787) and Abu Ya’la (1687)). Al-Haythami said in Majmu’ Al-Zawa’id (8/32): “Its narrators are trustworthy.”)
7. The best of people say Salam first
Abu Umamah reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Indeed, the best people to Allah are those who are first to greet with peace.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud (5197), Al-Tirmidhi (2694) and Ahmad (22192). Classed as Hasan by Al-Nawawi in Al-Majmu’ (4/599)).
8. It is the greeting of the Angels
Aisha reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to her, “O ‘Aisha, here is the angel Jibreel عليه السلام greeting you.” So she said, ‘Wa alaihis salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu. You see what I do not see.’ (Narrated by Al-Bukhari (3768) and Muslim (2447)).
9. It is the greeting of Paradise
About the Hereafter, Allah, may He be exalted, says in the Qur’an:
“Their greeting therein will be: Salaam (peace!)” [Qur’an, 14:23]
“And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups till when they reach it, and its gates will be opened (before their arrival for their reception) and its keepers will say: Salaamun ‘Alaykum (peace be upon you)!” [Qur’an, 39:73]
“And angels shall enter unto them from every gate (saying):
‘Salaamun ‘Alaikum (peace be upon you) for you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!’” [Qur’an,13:23, 24].
10. Allah will greet the people of paradise with Salam
Allah, may He be exalted, will greet the people of Paradise with peace:
“Verily, the dwellers of the Paradise, that Day, will be busy with joyful things. They and their wives will be in pleasant shade, reclining on thrones. They will have therein fruits (of all kinds) and all that they ask for. (It will be said to them): Salaam (peace be on you) — a Word from the Lord (Allaah), Most Merciful” (Qur’an 36:55-58)
Abu Hurairah reported that he said, “Jibreel came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! This is Khadijah coming to you with a dish having meat soup (or some food or drink). When she reaches you, greet her on behalf of her Lord and on my behalf and give her the glad tidings of having a palace made of Qasab in Paradise, wherein there will be neither any noise nor any toil.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3820) and Muslim (2432)).
On another occasion, Jibreel came to the house of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when Khadeeja was there. Jibreel said: “Allah sends His Salaam to Khadeejah”. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “O Khadeeja, Allah is sending His Salaams to you.” She said, “Allah is As-Salaam and upon you O Jibreel, be As-Salaam and upon you Rasulullah be As-Salaam.”
11. It is the greeting that Allah taught Adam, the first human being
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Allah created Adam in His image, sixty cubits tall. When He created him, Allah said: Go and greet with peace these groups of assembled angels and listen to how they greet you, for this will be the greeting among your progeny. Adam said: Peace be upon you. The angels said: Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah. Thus, they added the mercy of Allah. Everyone who enters Paradise will be in the image of Adam, for the creation has continued to diminish in stature until now.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari (6227) and Muslim (2841)).
Conclusion
Greeting others with “Salam alaykum” instead of “Hi” or “Hello” brings many great rewards as proven by the texts of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. We should always try our best to say this greeting as much as possible, both to people we know and to people we do not know.
