Spread The Greeting of Salaam
The best thing in Islam is feeding others and giving the greeting of salaam to those whom you know and those whom you do not know.
Salamun alaykum wa rahmatullaah,
I’ll like to start with an apology for not publishing this on Thursday. In keeping with my commitment to always find time for this because it is important, I am sending “this week’s” edition to you. Although it’s coming very late, I hope you find it beneficial.
In the previous article, we discussed how Allaah is always pleased with His servant who praises Him when he eats and praises Him when he drinks. Thus, I urged you to always seek the pleasure of Allaah by mentioning His Name when you start to eat and drink, and praise Him after eating and drinking. With that, you will not just eat and drink, you’ll also get rewarded and be assured of the pleasure of Allaah when you do.
This week, I will be reminding you of another simple act with which we can amass rewards from Allaah. Again, I hope that by reminding you of how beneficial and rewarding these acts are, you will practice them and in shaa Allaah be rewarded for that.
It was narrated from Abdullaah ibn Umar that a man asked the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him); “What is the best thing in Islam?” He said; “feeding others and giving the greeting of salaam to those whom you know and those whom you do not know.” (Sahih Bukhari: 12, 28 & 6236)
If an act is considered as the best thing in Islam, then it is highly beneficial and rewarding. What is meant by giving the greeting of salaam? It is simply greeting every Muslim in the manner prescribed by Allaah by saying “as-salaamu alaykum” out of sincerity towards Allaah and in the exact ways the wordings have been narrated from Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
To further buttress how rewarding this simple act can be, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) explained the reward earned by the one who says salaam in one of his hadiths.
It was reported from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that a man passed by the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) while he was sitting with some others, and said; “Salaamun alaykum” (peace be upon you). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said; “[He will have] ten hasanaat (rewards).” Another man passed by and said; “Salaamun alaykum wa rahmat-Allaah” (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said; “[He will have] twenty hasanaat.” Another man passed by and said; “Salaamun alaykum wa rahmat-Allaahi wa barakaatuhu” (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said; “[He will have] thirty hasanaat. (Adabul Mufrad: 286)
In addition to the rewards one gets by saying the greetings of salaam, this act fosters love and promotes brotherhood. It is also a right and duty of every Muslim to return salaam. In performing this obligation of replying salaam, we are all enjoined to reply even with a better greeting to amass more rewards;
“When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally. Certainly, Allaah is Ever a Careful Account Taker of all things.” (Al Qur’an, 4:86)
Respected brothers and sisters in Islam, we definitely do greet one another when we meet or call or chat using various means. What better way then is there to greet if not the one prescribed by Allaah for us and for which we will be rewarded?
As reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him); you will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Spreading salaam is something he told us that if we do, we will love one another. So spread the greeting of salaam.
Again, salamun alaykum wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuhu.
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