The Islamic Greeting and it’s Etiquette

(Friday speech delivered by Imam Mohamed Baianonie at the Islamic Center of Raleigh, NC on February 22, 1988.)

Islam has professed the use of the Islamic greeting when encountering another
Muslim or leaving the company of another Muslim because it unifies the hearts
and strengthens bonds between Muslims.

Imam Muslim reported that the prophet (S.A.W.) said, "I swear by the one whose
hand my soul is in that you will not enter paradise until you believe. And you won’t
be believed until you love one another. May I tell you something, that if you
practice it you will love another, spread the (salam) Islamic greeting among you."
This makes it clear to us, that spreading salam among Muslims is the first step
towards paradise. This is because spreading salam leads to increasing the love
between our hearts. And the increase of love between our hearts will increase the
Iman, (faith).

An authentic hadith reported by Imams At-Termithi and Ibn Majah that the
prophet (S.A.W.) said: "Oh you people, spread salam among you, serve the food,
behave kindly with your blood relations, and offer prayer at night when others are
asleep, and you will enter paradise safely." And Imams Bukhari and Muslim
reported that a man asked the prophet (S.A.W.), "what in Islam is the best?" He
(S.A.W.) answered, "To feed people and to say salam to everyone whether you
know them or not."

What is the history of the Islamic greeting, when did it start, and who was the one
who chose it?

Imams Bukhari and Muslim reported that the prophet (S.A.W.) said, "When Allah
created Adam he told him to go and say Assalamu Alikum to a group of Angels and
listen to their reply. It is your greeting and the greeting of your descendants. Adam
went and said: Assalamu Alikum they said Assalamu Alikum Wa Rahmatulah."

The complete form for the Islamic greeting is Assalamu Alilkum Wa Rahmatulah
Wa Barakatuh meaning peace, mercy, and blessings be upon from Allah (S.W.T.).
This is because Imams Abu-Dawood and At-Termithi reported in a good hadith
that a man came to the prophet (S.A.W.) and said, "Assalamu Alikum." The prophet
responded and the man sat down. The prophet said, "Ten rewards." Another man
came and said, "Assalamu Alikum Wa Rahmatullh." The prophet responded and the
man sat down. The prophet said, "twenty rewards."

Then another man came and said: Assalamu Alakum Wa Rahmatulah Wa

Barakatuh. The prophet responded and the man sat down. The prophet said, "thirty
rewards."
The Scholars have agreed that starting with salam is highly recommended. And
responding is obligatory because Allah (S.W.T.) said in surat An-Nesa’, (verse
86), what can be translated as, "When a courteous greeting is offered to you,
meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or at least of equal courtesy."

It is enough for one to say the Islamic greeting to a group and it is enough for one
of the group to return it. This is the meaning of the two ahadith that were reported
by Imams Abu Dawood and Malik.

From the Etiquette of Salam:

1. The one who comes greets the Muslims that are present.
2. The one who is riding greets the one who is walking.
3. The one who is walking greets the one who is sitting.
4. The smaller group greets the bigger group.
5. The young greet the elder.

6.
To answer this question we mention a Hadith reported by Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu
anhu) who quotes the Prophet  as saying: 'A Muslim has a right against his fellow
Muslim in six ways.' Asked what were these, the Prophet  said:

'(1)When you meet him, greet him;

(2) if he invites you, accept his invitation;
(3) if he seeks your advice, give him an honest and sincere advice;
(4) if he sneezes and praises God, bless him;
(5) if he falls ill, visit him; and
(6) if he dies, attend his funeral.'
[Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]

7.
The Hadith is clear in making it a duty of a Muslim to offer a greeting to his fellow-
Muslim when they meet. The one who takes the initiative is in a better position

“When You are greeted with a greeting,greet in return with what is better than it,or(at least) return
it equally. Certainly ,Allah is ever a careful account taker of all things”(Surah An-Nisa:86)

How the slam (greeting) begans.

Narrated Abu Hurairah(RA):The prophet(s.a.w) said,”When Allah created Adam,he said to him,”Go
and greet that group of angels sitting there,and listen what they say in reply to you,for that will be
your greeting and the greeting of your offspring.”Adam(went and) said,”As-Salamu ‘Alaikum(peace
be upon you).”They replied,” As-Salamu ‘Alaikum wa Rahmatullah(peace and Allah’s Mercy be on
you).So they increased ‘wa Rahmatullah.”