Greetings
Islam enjoins on its followers to maintain good will, brotherhood, love, to ask about each other’s health, to help one another and to remove all evils among them.
We shall explain what the Islamic Shari’ah (law) has taught about good manners, to greet one another, to create love and fraternity. Whoever greets his fellow beings breaks his own pride (Pride is a bad habit which leads one to Hell). Whoever replies to greetings exalts him and considers him better than himself and both are amply rewarded
Our Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has explained:
“There is no better gift a Muslim can present to his brother than wise words which will give him some more guidance and stop him from going astray”
We must cultivate the habit of greeting each other and shaking hands (in Islamic way) and enquiring about each other’s health as has been stated by our Prophet thus:
“He who takes the initiative to greet is better in the sight
of Allah and his Prophet (s.a.w.a.)”.
According to a tradition, our Prophet (s.a.w.a.) guided his companions to possess the following seven qualities:
(1) To visit the sick.
(2) To join in the funeral procession (Tashyiy al-Janazah).
(3) To accept the word of one who swears.
(4) To pray for one who sneezes.
(5) To rescue and help the oppressed.
(6) To greet whomsoever one meets.
(7) To accept an invitation (except that which is unlawful)
Another tradition says that our Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) stated that
in Paradise there are transparent houses which will be awarded to
those of his followers who possess the following qualities:-
(i) One who converses with people respectfully.
(ii) One who entertains people to food
(iii) One who offers salutations (salam) aloud.
(iv) One who wakes up in the thick of the night to offer prayers to Allah when everyone is asleep.
Then he added that saluting aloud has been recommended so that one does not become stingy in saluting his brother Muslim.
Our Sixth Imam, Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) has stated thus;
“One of the signs of humility in a Muslim is that he
salutes aloud everyone he meets.”
Our Hoy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has stated,
“Do not reply to a person who speaks to you without first saluting you.”
“If someone comes to you without saluting you, do not entertain him to good until he salutes.”
“The niggards of all is one who does not greet others, and the laziest of all is one who cannot seek or supplicate Allah’s help.”
“Anyone who leaves a gathering by bidding a salutation, if those that remain behind speak good things, then he is included in the reward and if they speak evil he won’t be included among them.”
We have explained the traditions of our Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) as regards the benefits of salutation.
Now let us see what Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“When you are saluted, reply in a better manner or likewise”[1]
For example, when you are saluted thus: Assalamu alaykum or Salamun alaykum the better reply is:
عَلَيْكُمْ سَلَامْ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُه
If you can’t reply then say:
عَلَيْكُمْ سَلَام
Our Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said:
“Whoever greets you with Salamun ‘alaykum will be rewarded ten times. Whoever greets you with اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُه will be rewarded thirty times.”
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Islamic Library: Introduction to Islam
[1] . Surah an-Nisaa (4), Verse 86