Hadith>Articles>Conveying Salaam

ترجمۂ کنزالایمان: اللہ کے نام سے شروع جو نہایت مہربان رحم والا

Translation: Allah in the name of the most Affectionate the Merciful

Du’a for Reading the Book or Islamic Lesson

Read the following Du’a (supplication) before studying a religious book or Islamic lesson , you will remember whatever you study.

Translation:Ya Allah! Open the portal of knowledge and wisdom for us, and have mercy on us! O the one who is the most honourable and glorious! (Al-Mustaraf, vol. 1, pp. 40)

Note: Recite Durud Sharif once before and after the Du’a.

ترجمۂ کنزالایمان:اور اگر جب وہ اپنی جانوں پر ظلم کریں تو اے محبوب تمہارے حضور حاضر ہوں اور پھر اللہ سے معافی چاہیں اور رسول ان کی شفاعت فرمائے تو ضرور اللہ کو بہت توبہ قبول کرنے والا مہربان پائیں۔

                                                                                                      

Translation of Kanzul Iman:And if when they do justice unto their souls, then O beloved! They should come to you and then beg forgiveness of Allah and the messenger should intercede for them then surely, they would find Allah Most Relenting, Merciful (4:64)

Excellence of Durud Shareef

The Noble Rasool صلی اللہ تعالی علیہ وسلم has stated, ‘Whoever recites Salat upon me one time, Allah عزوجل sends ten mercies upon him.’ (Sahih Muslim, pp. 166, vol. 1)

Etiquettes of Conveying Salaam (Greeting)

Hadith 1: In Sahih Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Hurairah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said that ‘Allah ta’aala created Adam علیہ السلام. He was sixty cubits tall. When He created him, He commanded him to go to the Angels and convey Salaam to them and then listen to what they say in reply to you. Whatever they reply is your salutation (salaam and greeting) and the salutation of your offspring. Hazrat Adam علیہ السلام approached and said السَّلامُ عَلَیْکُمْ They replied by saying السَّلامُ عَلَیْکَ وَرَحْمَۃُ اﷲ۔  Huzoor صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said that the Angels replied by adding وَرَحْمَۃُ اللہ Huzoor صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘Whosoever enters Jannat, will be in the form of Adam علیہ السلام and he will be sixty cubits tall’. After Adam علیہ السلام  the height of the people became shorter as time passed, until this time (where humans are very short in height).’

Hadith 2: In Sahih Bukhari and Muslim it is narrated from Abdullah ibn Umar رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہما that a person enquired from Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  regarding which is the best feature about Islam. Huzoor صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘To supply food and to convey Salaam to those whom you know and to those whom you do not know’.

Hadith 3: Nasa’i reported from Abu Hurairah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘One Momin (true believer) has six duties over another Momin: (1) To visit him when he is ill. (2) To present yourself in his Janaazah when he passes away. (3) To accept his invitation when he invites you. (4) To convey Salaam to him when you meet him. (5) To reply to him when he sneezes. (6) In his presence and absence, to wish for good for him’.

Hadith 4: Tirmizi and Daarimi reported from Hazrat Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘There are six duties of a Muslim upon a Muslim: (1) When you meet with one whom you know well, to convey Salaam to him. (2) When he invites you, you should accept. (3) Reply to him when he sneezes. (4) Visit him when he is ill. (5) Go with his Janaazah when he passes away. (6) Whatever you love for yourself, you should love for him’.

Hadith 5: In Sahih Muslim it is reported from Abu Hurairah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘You shall not enter into Jannat, unless you do not bring Imaan and you shall not be Momins unless you do not love one another. Should I not inform of such a thing, that if you do it, it will cause you to love one another? It is this, that you should make the conveying of Salaam widespread (common) amongst you’.

Hadith 6: Imam Ahmed, Tirmizi, and Abu Dawud report from Abu Umama رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said ‘The one who conveys Salaam first is the one more deserving of Allah’s Mercy’.

Hadith 7: Baihaqi has reported in Sha’bul Imaan from Abdullah ibn Mas’ud  رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ hat Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘A person who conveys Salaam first, remains free from arrogance (pride)’.

Hadith 8: Abu Dawud reported from Abu Hurairah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Nabi Kareem صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘When a person meets with his brother, he should convey Salaam to him. Then if a tree, a wall or a rock becomes an obstacle between them and they meet (see each other) again, then they should convey Salaam again’.

Hadith 9: Tirmizi reported on the authority Anas رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘Son! When you visit your family, (you should) convey Salaam to them. The abundant blessings of this will be upon you and your household’.

Hadith 10: Tirmizi reported from Jaabir رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said that ‘(Conveying) Salaam is before initiating any discussion’.

Hadith 11: Tirmizi reported from Jaabir رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘Salaam should precede Kalaam (a conversation) and do not ask someone to eat with you, unless he does not convey Salaam’.

Hadith 12: Ibn Al Najaar reported from Hazrat Umar رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘Salaam is before asking a question. If a person asks before conveying Salaam, then do not reply to him’.

Hadith 13: Tirmizi and Abu Dawud reported from Abu Hurairah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘When a person arrives at any gathering, he should convey Salaam. Then if he wishes to sit there, he may remain seated. If he wishes to get up from there (i.e. leave), then he should convey Salaam, because the first Salaam is not any better than the last Salaam’. In other words, just as that is Sunnat, this too is Sunnat.

Hadith 14: Imam Maalik and Baihaqi have reported in Sha’bul Imaan from Tufail bin Abi bin Ka’ab that in the morning when he would go to Ibn Umar رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہما he would take along with him to the marketplace. When he passed by any person who was selling things that were not so good and when he passed by other sellers, or by any orphans or anyone else, he would convey Salaams to all of them. Tufail says, ‘One day I presented myself before Hazrat Abdullah ibn Umar رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہما and he requested me to accompany him to the marketplace. I asked what he would do at the market place. (I said), neither do you stand there, nor do you query about any product. You do not even purchase anything and nor do you sit in the gatherings of the marketplace. Rather you sit here and we can talk. In other words you can relate some Hadith (to me)’. He said ‘I visit the marketplace to convey Salaams, so that I may convey Salaam to whomsoever I meet (there)’.

Hadith 15: Imam Ahmed and Baihaqi have reported in Sha’bul Imaan from Jaabir رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that one day a person presented himself before  Nabi Kareem  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم and said, ‘The fruit belonging to a certain person are(encroaching) on my orchard and this is causing me inconvenience’. Huzoor  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم sent a person to summon that person and then said to him, ‘Sell your fruits!’ He said, ‘I will not sell them’. Huzoor صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘Give it as a gift!’ He said, ‘No!’ Huzoor-e-Akram صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘Sell it in exchange for the fruits of Jannat!’ He said, ‘No!’ Huzoor  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘I have not seen a more miserly person than you, except for that person who is miserly in conveying Salaam’.

Hadith 16: Baihaqi reported from Hazrat Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that he said, ‘If a congregation (delegation) passed by some place and if one from that delegation conveys Salaam, it is sufficient and from those who are seated there, if one of them replies to the Salaam, then that is sufficient’. In other words, it is not necessary for everyone to give a reply.

Hadith 17: It is in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Hurairah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that one who is on a conveyance (riding etc.) should convey Salaam to the one who is on foot and one who is walking on foot should convey Salaam to one who is sitting and a small group of people should convey Salaam to a large group of people. In other words, if on one side there are a few people and on the other side there are more, then those who are few should convey Salaams to those who are more. There is another narration of Bukhari that the younger ones should convey Salaams to the elders and those passing by should convey Salaam to those sitting and few should convey Salaams to many.

Hadith 18: It is in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim from Anas رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  passed by (some) children and conveyed Salaam to them.

Hadith 19: It is in Sahih Muslim from Abu Hurairah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘Do not initiate the greeting of salaam to a Jew or a Christian and when you meet them on the road, then compel him to the narrow path’.

Hadith 20: It is in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim from Usaama bin Zaid رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہما that Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم passed by a gathering in which there were Muslims, polytheist (idol worshippers) and Jews altogether. Huzoor  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم conveyed Salaam. In other words he did so with the intention of (greeting) the Muslims.

Hadith 21: It is in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Ibn Umar رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہما that Rasoolullah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘When the Jews greet you they say, السام علیک ‘As Saamu Alaik’ then in answer to them, you should say وعلیک ‘Wa Alaik’. In other words, you should not say, وعلیک السلام ‘Wa alaikas Salaam’. The meaning of سام ‘Saam’ is death, so they are not really conveying Salaams, but they are praying for the Muslims to die quickly. It is similarly reported from Anas رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that when the Ahl-e-Kitaab (People of the Book) convey Salaam, reply by saying, وعلیکم

Hadith 22: In Sahih Bukhari and Muslim it is reported from Abu Sa’eed Khudri رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘Avoid sitting on the roads’. They (the people) said ‘Ya Rasool’Allah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم we cannot help sitting (on the roads) as these are (the places) where we have discussions’. Rasoolullah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘If you refuse to listen and still sit there, then fulfil the rights of the road’. They said, ‘What are the rights of the road, Ya Rasool’Allah صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم ?’ He said, ‘Lowering your gaze, refraining from harming others, replying to Salaam, and commanding what is good, and forbidding what is evil’.

Hadith 23: In Sharhus Sunnah it is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that Rasoolullah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘There is no benefit in sitting on roads, except for him who shows the way (gives direction), replies to Salaams, lowers his gaze and assists in carrying heavy items’.

Hadith 24: It is in Tirmizi and Abu Dawud from Imraan bin Haseen رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ that a person presented himself in the Holy Court of Nabi Kareem صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  and said السَّلامُ عَلَیْکُمْ Huzoor  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم replied to him and he sat down. Huzoor  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘For him there are ten’, i.e. there are ten good deeds. A second person arrived and he said (the words) السَّلامُ عَلَیْکُمْ وَرَحْمَۃُ اللہ  Huzoor صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  replied to him and he sat down. He  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘For him there are twenty’. Then a third person arrived and he said, السَّلامُ عَلَیْکُمْ وَرَحْمَۃُ اﷲوَبَرَکَاتُہ He  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم replied to him and he too sat down. Huzoor صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘For him there are thirty’.

Hadith 25: It is in Tirmizi on the authority of Amr bin Shu’aib, who narrated from his father, who narrated from his grandfather that Rasoolullah  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم said, ‘One who emulates other than us is not from amongst us. Do not emulate the Jews and Christians. The salaam (greeting) of a Jew is by the raising of the finger and the greeting of a Christian is by gesturing with the palm’.

Hadith 26: Abu Dawud and Tirmizi have reported on the authority of Abu Jurai رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ. He says, ‘I presented myself in the Holy Presence of Huzoor  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم and said: علیک السلام. I said this twice’. Huzoore-Akram صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ وسلَّم  said, ‘Do not say علیک السلام ‘Alaikas Salaam’. علیک السلام is the salaam (salutation/greeting) of the dead. You should say السلام علیک ‘As Salaamu Alaika’.

Ya Allah عزوجل of Mustafa  صلی اللہ تعالی علیہ وسلم! We make sincere Dua that  blesses us all with strength in Imaan and true love for the Holy Prophet  صلی اللہ تعالی علیہ وسلمand for all those who follow that which has been taught and commanded by Him. Amin! (Source: Extracted from Bahaar-e-Shariat Volume 16)

Courtesy: Imam Mustafa Raza Research Center

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