Ramadan 3–2–1: Day Nine— Virtues of As-Salam Alaykum!

Peace be unto you…

One of the greatest favor bestowed upon us as Muslims is the guidance to Islam. Yet, little thanks do we give for this mercy. It’s not your birthright that you were born into a Muslim family. Some had this privilege but left the shores of faith. Hence, don’t see yourself as being better than the one not yet on the path of righteousness. Islam in totality is a positive vibe — a way of life that transforms your entire life.

Imagine a religion where saying tasleem and smiling are considered acts of charity. You can even eat, enjoy your meal, and still be rewarded. Little did the people know that when you satisfy your desires with your spouse, it's equally a meritorious act. All these are from the mercy of Allah from being guided to faith and the sunnah of our beloved prophet Muhammad — peace be upon him.

Islam is one faith that consistently embraces the greetings of peace among its faithful. The phrase ‘As-Salam Alaykum’ is an all-encompassing prayer that means: peace be unto you. This wish includes no harm from me to you and Allah’s blessings on you. In addition, tranquility, wellness, and all the goodness of this life and the next should come to you. It’s a beautiful prayer that we say to ourselves whenever we meet.

As for the merits of saying ‘as-salam alaykum’, we’d examine it in Ramadan 3–2–1 for today. Bismillah, let’s go there…

3 Derivable Lessons

• Giving the tasleem and responding to it is highly recommended and rewardable. In fact, it’s one of the rights of a Muslim to his brother. It’s best to pronounce it in full as this will earn you the maximum reward.
• Spreading salaam is a trait of the believers and increases the love among themselves.
• This little act of saying ‘As-Salam Alaykum’ will be a deciding factor for entering paradise in peace.

2 Pieces of Evidence

Allah says:

And those who believed and did righteous deeds, will be made to enter Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever (in Paradise), with the permission of their Lord. Their greeting therein will be Salâm (Peace!). — Qur’an 14[ibrahim]:23

The Prophet PBUH said:

‘Imran bin Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: “As-Salamu ‘Alaikum (May peace be upon you). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Ten (meaning the man had earned the merit of ten good deeds).” Another one came and said: “As-Salamu ‘Alaikum wa Rahmatullah (May peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah).” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Twenty.” A third one came and said: “As-Salamu ‘Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu (May peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings).” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Thirty.” — Sunan Abu Dawud

1 Rhetorical Question

Now you know the virtues of spreading salaam. So, “what would you say when next you meet your brother?” Spread the love using the salutation of peace. This is the greetings of the people of paradise. May Allah count you and me to be one of them. Amin!

That’s it for today and I hope you find it beneficial. Catch you tomorrow by the mercy of Allah. And until then, keep striving to be the best version of yourself. As Salamu Alaykum! Waramatullahi!! Wabarakatu!!!

Yaumul Jum’ah 9th Ramadan 1444H // Friday 31st March 2023.