Assalamu�alikom

Saluting others in Islam is done by saying the words �Assalamu�alikom� and the meaning of it is �peace be upon you�. Assalam is one of Allah�s most beautiful names and it resembles peace, tranquility and security.

A man asked the Prophet pbuh about something good in Islam, he said pbuh,� To feed the poor, and to render Salam �salute� on those who you know and you don�t know.�

The Prophet pbuh said, � A believer�s sadness remains in his heart while his joy appears on his face.�

In another Hadeeth the Prophet pbuh said, � Oh people, spread Salam amongst you, feed the poor, and pray extra prayers at night when people are asleep you would enter Jennah �paradise� with peace.�

In another Hadeeth, �You won�t enter Jennah until you have faith, and you won�t have faith until you love one another, would you like me to tell you about something if you do you would love one another? Spread Salam amongst you.�

The prophet pbuh said, � Whoever says Assalamu�alikom (two words) he would get ten good deeds. If you say Assalamu�alikom Wa Rahmatu�llah (4 words)�Peace be upon you and Allah�s Mercy� you would get twenty good deeds.
If you say Assalamu�alikom Wa Rahmatu�llahi Wa Barakatuh (6 words) �Peace be upon you and Allah�s mercy and blessings� you would get thirty good deeds.�

Saluting others is Sunna (following the way of the Prophet-not mandatory) but responding to it is obligatory. It is a �kifaiah obligation� on Muslims, which if done by one of them the others don�t have to do.

The Prophet pbuh said, � He is not one of us who imitates other than us. Don�t imitate the Jews and Christians. Jews Salute by signaling with their fingers and Christians by waving their hand.�

The words Good morning and Good evening came from Persians who used to worship the Fire and believed in two Gods one for light; good, and the other for night; evil.

When the Prophet used to greet those who are not Muslims he used to say Assalam on those who follow the guidance; meaning if you follow the guidance.

Ali bin Abi Talib (the Prophet�s cousin) said:
If a group of people where together it is enough if one of them gave Salam.
Also it is enough if somebody saluted them for one of them to respond.

The Prophet pbuh said, � Assalam is one of Allah�s most beautiful names and was brought to earth by Allah. Spread it amongst you. If a Muslim passed by other Muslims and saluted them and they responded, he would have a degree over them because he reminded them of Salam. If they didn�t respond to him those who are better and more kind than them would respond to him (Angels).�

The conditions of Salam:
1. To say Salam when you come people and when you leave them.
The prophet pbuh said, � if one of you wanted to leave a place he was sitting with a group if people let him say Salam to them because the first one is not better than the later one.�
2. To repeat Salam if you meet the same Muslim(s) again. He said pbuh,� if one meets his brother let him say Salam to him, and if something came between them like a wall or a tree let them say Salam when they meet again.�
3. Repeating Salam 3 times especially if not heard for the first two times. The Prophet use to say Salam 3 times and when he speaks he would repeat his words 3 times.�
4. To say Salam to the children to train them on good manners of religion.
5. Not to say Salam to those using the rest rooms.
6. To respond to Salam even if the one who sent you the Salam was not present. The Prophet told Aicha (his wife) that Gabriel is sending his Salam to her. She said Wa Alihi Assalam �and upon him too�.
7. To say Salam before you speak and before asking permission to come into a house. The Prophet pbuh said, � If someone asks you something before saying Salam don�t respond to him.�
8. To start saying Salam to those whom you have animosity with.
9. To say Salam when you enter an empty house.
10. To say Salam to the dead in the graves. The prophet told us to say, � Alikom�Assalam (inverted) �upon you be peace� people of these premises from believers and Muslims. May Allah have mercy on those died previously and recently? Inshallah �by Allah�s will� we will follow you.
11. Not to start Salam on non-Muslims. The Prophet pbuh said, � Don�t start Salam to the Jews and Christians. Say to them May Allah guide you, may you have a good morning. If they said Assalmu�alikom to you say Wa Alikom �and upon you.�
12. If a group of Muslims and non-Muslims where together you say Salam and you have the intention that it is meant only to the Muslims among them.
13. To say Salam to the Prophet pbuh dead and alive.
14. To say Salam when you enter a Mosque and when you leave.
15. To say Salam when you finish your Salat �prayers�.
16. To ask for Assalam �Peace� after each Salat.
17. To ask for it when you see the Kaaba.
18. Not to say Salam when you are in Friday prayer �congregation prayer� and the imam was giving a speech to people.
19. When you start Salam you say Assalmu�alikom� and when you respond to it you say Wa alikom Assalam�.

The prophet pbuh said, � The most stingy among people is the one who is stingy on saying Salam. And the most helpless among people is the one who is too lazy to make supplication and asking from Allah.


Assalamu�alikom Wa Rahmatu�llahi Wa Barakatuh.

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