The Manner of giving Salam

The best methods of extending the greetings of peace are listed in rank order.

1.

السلام عليكم والرحمه الله وبركاته

"May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you"

2.

السلام عليكم والرحمه الله

"May the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you"

3.

السلام عليكم

"May peace be upon you"

The order is proven by the narration of the hadith by Abu Huraira (رضى الله عنه) in which a man passed by the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) - who was seated in a gathering and said "Asalaamu Alaikum" The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said "Ten good deeds are written for him", Another man passed by and said, "Assalaamu Alaikum Wahrahmatullah", and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, "Twenty good deeds". Then another passed by and said, "Assalamu Alaikum wahrehmatulahi Wabarakatuhu" and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said "Thirty good deeds".

(Al Adab Al Mufrad)

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When responding to these greetings, one must return either a greeting that is better than it or is equal to it.

وَإِذَا حُيِّيْتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّواْ بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا

"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it or (at least) return it equally".

(Surah An Nisa: verse 86)

Other general obligations of giving salam are summarised below:

1. When greeting a large gathering, or if you are in doubt that the person you greeted has heard you, it is reccommended to repeat the greeting 3 times but should not go beyond this.

2. It is the Sunnah to initiate the greeting and respond to them out loud/audibly

3. Make your greetings to all in a gathering, not just to those you know.

A man asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), "Which Islam is best?" and He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) replied: "Feeding others and saying As-Salaam both to those you know and you don't know" (Bukhari & Muslim)

4. One who arrives in a gathering should hasten to initiate the greeting.

5. It is sunnah for the rider to greet the pedestrian, the pedestrian to greet the seated, the few to greet the many and the young to greet the old.

6. When meeting, the better of the two is the one who initiates the greeting (Bukhari)

7. It is reccommended to greet young children.

8. When greeting those that are awake in the presence of those that are sleeping, one should lower the tone of the voice, such as not to disturb the sleeping, but be heard by those who are awake.

9. One should not "initiate" the greeting of peace to the people of the book.

10. When answering the Salam of the people of the book, one should reply "Wa-Alaikum" (And same upon you).

11. It is disliked to greet someone who is relieving himself.

12. When entering the masjid, one should first pray the 2 rakahs of Tahiyyatul Masjid before greeting those present.

13. When the Imam is delivering the Jumuah khutbah it is disliked to give salam

14. When meeting others, always begin with greetings of peace and then start your conversation.

15. Before one parts from a gathering it is sunnah to give the greetings of peace.

16. It is disliked to greet with the hand (like the people of the book).

17. When answering a letter one should also return the greetings.

18. Part of the full greeting is to shake your the hand. (brother to brother, sister to sister). [Al Adab Al Mufrad].