Giving Salam to Others

Greetings are an important way of communicating with someone. In Islam, this is called giving the Salam. Giving Salam is by saying "As-salamu alaikum" to an individual or a group of people. It means (Peace be upon you) and used as a greeting to Muslims.

This short article will dicuss some of the different ways to give Salam to people.

Giving Salam to an individual

This way of giving Salam is really simple; you can approach them by saying the islamic greeting "As-salamu alaikum". They should reply back "Wa-aliakum-salam", meaning "And unto you peace.".

Abu Umamah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:

"Verily, the best people to Allah are those who are first to greet with peace." (1)

Giving Salam in congregation

If one joins a group, then it is Sunnah for him to give Salam in the gathering, supported by Hadith:

Narrated Abu Hurairah, The Prophet ﷺ said:

"When one of you comes to an assembly, he should give a salutation and if he feels inclined to get up, he should give a salutation, for the former is not more of a duty than the latter." (2)

This hadith tells us that it is a recommandation to give Salam (salutation) to the gathering, and also the same when he leaves.

Giving Salam to the sitting person

It is Sunnah to give Salam to the person sitting, supported by Hadith:

Narrated Abu Hurairah, The Prophet ﷺ said:

"The riding one should greet the walking one, and the walking one should greet the sitting one, and the small number of persons should greet the large number of persons." (3)

Conclusion

By reading this, you have benefited yourself by learned 3 ways of giving the islamic greeting of As-salamu alaikum.

May Allah bless you, and shukran.

Sources :

1. Abu Dawood 5197, graded Sahih

2. Abu Dawood 5208, graded Sahih

3. Sahih al-Bukhari 6232