Salam: Difference between revisions

The Qur'an has counted Salam as the greeting of dwellers of [[Paradise]], and has ordered Muslims to say Salam. In [[hadith]]s, it is counted as one of the [[Prophet's traditions]] and as one of the highly recommended acts ([[mustahab]]). It is narrated from the Prophet (s): "Do not respond to one who has started speaking without Salam."

[[Imam al-Baqir (a)]] says, "Indeed God likes Salam to be audible." Explaining this hadith [[al-Fayd al-Kashani]] writes: "it means whenever you met someone, say Salam, regardless to what kind of person he is."

[[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]]: "the young should greet the old, the one who is passing should greet the one who is sitting, a small group should greet the larger group."

Imam al-Sadiq (a): "the one who starts saying Salam, is closer to God and His apostle."

Imam al-Sadiq (a): "whoever says 'al-Salam 'Alaykum', there are 10 good [deeds' [[reward]]] for him and whoever says 'al-Salam 'Alaykum wa Rahmat Allah' there are 20 good for him, and whoever says 'al-Salam 'Alaykum wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatuh' there are 30 good for him." Based on Islamic traditions, it is better to respond Salam or a greeting by a more complete or at least the same phrase. The Qur'an reads: "When you are greeted with a salute, greet with a better one than it, or return it; indeed, Allah takes account of all things".(Qur'an 4:86)

Moreover, shaking hands, while saying Salam, with the one who is not going to travel and hugging the one who wants to travel is mustahab (recommended).

To say Salam first is highly recommended ([[mustahab]]) and abandoning it is disliked ([[makruh]]), however the one who is in the middle of Salat must not say Salam first. It is also recommended to say Salam to yourself when entering an empty house, using this phrase: "al-Salam 'Alayna min 'ind Rabbina" (a Salam from our Lord be upon us). Likewise, saying Salam for goodbye when leaving a place is mustahab, however there is disagreement whether its response is [[wajib]] (obligatory) or mustahab (recommended).  

Men are allowed to say Salam to [[non-Mahram]] women, and vice versa, unless there is fear of committing a [[sin]]. However, some have asserted that it is Makruh (disliked) for a man to say Salam to a young non-Mahram woman.