The Virtues Of Salaam

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Asalamu'alaikum

 

Offering Salaam Is An Islamic Duty

It has been narrated from Hazrat Ali that the Prophet, peace be upon him said, "Commonly in Islam there are six rights of a Muslim upon a Muslim: when he meets him he should give him salaam; when he invites him (to a meal) he should accept it; when he sneezes he should bless him; when he falls ill he should visit him; when he dies he should accompany his funeral and he should prefer for him that which he prefers

 

Replying To Salaam Is A Duty Of A Muslim

Nasai narrates from Hazrat Abu Hurairah that the Prophet, peace be upon him said, "There are rights of a Muslim over a Muslim: Responding to salaam, visiting the sick, following the bier (A platform upon which the corpse rests), accepting an invitation (to a meal) and blessing a person who sneezes."

 

This narration has been narrated in Sahih Muslim in these words, "There are six rights upon a Muslim". The Prophet, peace be upon him was asked, "What are these O’ Prophet of Allah?" The Prophet, peace be upon him replied, "When you meet him, give him salaam, when he invites you, (to a meal) accept it, when he seeks counselling from you give him counselling and when he sneezes and says Alhamdulillah, bless him, when he falls ill visit him and when he dies accompany his funeral."

 

Reward For Giving Salaam

It has been narrated by Saalim that the Prophet, peace be upon him said, "He who says Assalaamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you) ten rewards are written down for him, and he who says Assalaamu Alaikum wa rahmatullah (Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy) for him twenty rewards are written down and he who says Assalaamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh (Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessing) thirty rewards are written down (for him)."

 

In support of this Hadith we find a narration by Ibn Umar in Musannaf-Abdul-Razzak; It has been narrated in this Hadith that a person came in the presence of the Prophet, peace be upon him and said, "Assalamu Alaikum." The Prophet, peace be upon him replied, "Ten." Then a second Sahabi came and said, "Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullah." The Prophet, peace be upon him replied, "Twenty." Then a third Sahabi arrived and said, "Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh." Upon this the Prophet, peace be upon him said, "Thirty." That is to say upon three words thirty rewards will be written down.

 

Imaam Bukhari in his Al-Adabul-Mufrad narrates from Hazrat Anas that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "As-salaam is indeed a name from the names of Allah, which Allah has placed upon the Earth, therefore spread salaam amongst yourselves in abundance."

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Replying to the Salaam

 

Q: Is it obligatory on us to reply if anyone says to us Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Baraakatuhu? What will be the extent of that reply, do we have to say Wa Alaikum Assalam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Baraakatuhu or we can just say Wa Alaikum Assalam? Whenever I receives your reply through email, there is always written Salaam in the beginning, do I have to reply to that Salaam as well?

A:

1. Both are permissible. However through saying "Assalamu Alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh" one will receive more reward.

2. Yes, it is waajib to reply to the Salaam even if the Salaam is was sent via a letter, sms or email.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

ويسلم على الواحد بلفظ الجماعة وكذا الرد ولا يزيد الراد على وبركاته ورد السلام وتشميت العاطس على الفور ويجب رد جواب كتاب التحية كرد السلام

قال الشامي : قوله ( ولا يزيد الراد على وبركاته ) قال في التاترخانية والأفضل للمسلم أن يقول السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته والمجيب كذلك يرد ولا ينبغي أن يزاد على البركات شيء اه ويأتي بواو العطف في وعليكم وإن حذفها أجزأه وإن قال المبتدىء سلام عليكم أو السلام عليكم فللمجيب أن يقول في الصورتين سلام عليكم أو السلام عليكم ولكن الألف واللام أولى اه ... قوله ( ويجب رد جواب كتاب التحية ) لأن الكتاب من الغائب بمنزلة الخطاب من الحاضر مجتبى والناس عنه غافلون ط (رد المحتار 6/ 414-415)

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)