Riyad Us-Saliheen (Gardens of the Righteous)
Chapter 132
Words to be used for offering Greetings
It is recommended for the one offering greetings to say: `As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu'. The reply is `Wa `Alaikum us-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.'
851. `Imran bin Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said: "As-Salamu `Alaikum (may you be safe from evil). Messenger of Allah (PBUH) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Ten (meaning the man had earned the merit of ten good acts).'' Another one came and said: "As-Salamu `Alaikum wa Rahmatullah (may you be safe from evil, and Mercy of Allah be upon you).'' Messenger of Allah (PBUH) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Twenty.'' A third one came and said: "As-Salamu `Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu (may you be safe from evil, and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings be upon you).'' Messenger of Allah (PBUH) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Thirty.''
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: This Hadith shows that we can earn ten-fold good rewards by greeting a person in the Islamic way. There will be a further ten-fold addition to it if we say, "As-Salamu `Alaikum wa Rahmatullah". may you be safe from evil, and the Mercy of Allah be upon you). And if we say, "As-Salamu `Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu'' may you be safe from evil, and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings be upon you), thirty-fold good reward comes to us. But Ahadith are silent on increasing more words to Salam. So this much will suffice.
852. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to me, "This is Jibril (Gabriel) who is conveying you greetings of peace.'' I responded: "Wa `Alaihis-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu (may he be safe from evil, and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings be upon him).''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith affirms the excellence of `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with him). It also tells us how to respond to the Salam of a third person, that is, we should say, "Wa `Alaihis-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.'
853. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported the Prophet (PBUH) used to repeat his words thrice so that the meaning thereof would be fully understood, and whenever he came upon a gathering of people, he would greet them. He would repeat Salam thrice.
[Al-Bukhari].
Commentary: This Hadith tells us about one aspect of the Prophet's excellent manners that he would take due care of showing regard for the sentiments of people. The whole of a gathering is not supposed to hear the Salam of somebody and respond to him. A single person can represent the gathering in this regard. Yet, it was characteristic benevolence of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) which prompted him to repeat his saying "As-Salamu `Alaikum'' thrice so that everybody would hear it and may not have a feeling of being neglected.
854. Al-Miqdad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported in course of a long Hadith: We used to reserve for the Prophet (PBUH) his share of the milk, and he would come at night and offer greetings in such a manner as did not disturb those asleep and was heard only by those who were awake. In fact, the Prophet (PBUH) came and offered greetings as usual.
[Muslim].
Commentary: Herein, we are told how to offer Salam to people when some of them are asleep while others are awake. Our voice should be so low so as not to disturb those who are asleep and to give a chance to those who are awake to respond to it.
855. Asma' bint Yazid (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) passed through the mosque one day and there was a group of women (about ten of them) sitting in the mosque. He raised his hand to offer greetings.
[At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: To offer As-Salam by the gesture of hand from a distance is forbidden in Islam because it is the way of non-Muslims. However, it is allowed if words are also uttered along with it. Secondly, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) could greet women because he was sinless and permanently stood under Allah's Protection. Yet, it is not permissible to other men for the fear of provoking temptation. But this Hadith can be carried into effect in case one feels that no temptation and evil will be involved in it. For example, a man can greet aged and respectable women. However, Salam to young women is not allowed as it can give birth to wickedness.
856. Abu Juraiy Al-Hujaimi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said: "Alaikas-Salamu ya Rasulallah! (Upon you be peace, O Messenger of Allah)!'' He said, "Do not say: `Alaikas-Salamu (Upon you be peace).' This is the Salam to the dead.''
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: This is part of a long Hadith which has been mentioned earlier on. Refer to Hadith 796 and the commentary following it.