Salaam or greeting in Islam has been known as one of the greatest blessing from Allah SWT. It has become part of Islamic culture to say salaam in daily basis. When we enter the house, leaving the house, arriving at a forum, seeing our friends, and so on.
Salaam contains the Almighty Allah SWT names, in which the saying means “May the blessing of His name descend upon you.” While saying salaam when entering an occupied room is common, is there certain rules of saying salaam when entering an empty room?
May the explanation below helps fellow Muslims who is still uncertain.
- Saying Salaam is not Obligatory
Abu Maalik al-Ash’ari said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) said: “When a man enters his house, let him say, ‘Allaahumma inni as’aluka khayr al-mawlaj wa khayr al-makhraj. Bismillaah walajna wa Bismillaah kharajna wa ‘ala Allaahi rabbina tawakalna (O Allaah, I ask You for the best entering and the best exiting. In the name of Allah we enter and in the name of Allah we leave, and in Allah our Lord we put our trust),’ then he should say salaam to his family.” (Abu Dawood)
First of all, saying salaam is not obligatory in Islam. There is no explicit verse in the Holy Quran neither in Hadith in which saying that salaam is a must for Muslims. Salaam had been made a culture in Islam since it has a beautiful meaning and contains tremendous blessing. Also read Rules of Greeting in Islam
- Salaam is a Blessing
Anas ibn Maalik said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) said to me, “O my son, when you enter upon your family and say salaam, it will be a blessing for you and the members of your household.” (Tirmidhi)
We are told to say salaam every time we enter a house/room or leaving it because it contains a blessing. When you are saying salaam when you enter your house, not only you but also your whole family will get the blessing.
- Saying Salaam Means Remembering Allah SWT
“But when you enter the houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allaah (i.e. say: As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum — peace be on you), blessed and good.” (24:61)
There is a good reason why saying salaam is better. Salaam is another greeting from Allah SWT and there’s a good meaning behind it. You wish for others that peace will always be with them but you get the blessings as well. Also read Most Rewarding Deeds in Islam
- Say a Certain Salaam Instead
Narrated in al-Adab al-Mufrad that Ibn ‘Umar (RA) said: “When you enter an uninhabited house, say “Al-salaamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibaad-Illaah il-saaliheen (peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allaah).” (Bukhari)
When you are entering an empty room, say salaam that contained on the hadith above. It’s part of sunnah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to do.
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- Offer Greetings is an Islamic Ethics
Salaam is a dua for peace to ourselves and anyone in the building. But when the room is uninhabited, you say salaam to proclaim upon oneself as well as the Angels of Allah who are present with you. It has become the ethics of a Muslim to say salaam when they enter the house or meet someone. Also read Ethical Values of Islam
- Giving Salaam is Highly Beneficial
“There are three who are under the protection of Allah and if he lives, he will be provided for and it will be sufficient for him, and if he dies, Allah will enter him into Jannah: whoever enters his house and gives the salaam, whoever goes out to the masjid, and whoever leaves in the way of Allah.” (Abu Dawood)
One of the many benefits of saying salaam is Allah SWT will enter slave to Jannah.
Benefits of Saying Salaam in Islam
After understanding the rules of saying salaam when entering an empty room, we know that salaam has many benefits. Here are more of the benefits of saying salaam in Islam:
- Salaam Helps Getting Rid of the Sins
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said, “When two Muslims meet (give salaam), and shake hands, they are forgiven their sins before they part (with each other).” (Abu Dawud)
Giving salaam as greeting when two Muslims meet and they shake hands, both of them will be forgiven from their sins before they part ways. Also read Importance of Repentance in Islam
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- It’s the Greeting of Jannah
“Then, those that feared their Lord shall be driven in companies into Paradise. When they draw near its gates will be opened, and its keepers will say to them: “Salaamun ‘Alaikum” (Peace be upon you), you have done well. Enter and live in it for ever.”(39:73)
Salaam is the greeting before we enter Jannah. Allah SWT has promised that He will enter a slave to Jannah when they greet with salaam.
- Tremendous Rewards Come Along with Salaam
The reason why we should say salaam is because there are tremendous rewards behind it. Also read Importance of Greetings in Islam
A man passed by the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) while he was sitting with others, and said “As-salaamu ‘alaykum.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “[He will have] ten hasanaat.”Another man passed by and said “As-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaah (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah).” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “[He will have] twenty hasanaat.” Another man passed by and said “As-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings).” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “[He will have] thirty hasanaat.”
- Salaam is Part of Iman
Salaam is one of the best aspects in Islam.
Once a man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about which aspect of Islam was best. The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “Feeding the hungry, and saying salaam to those you know and those you don’t know.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
- Returning Salaam is Obligatory
When another Muslim say salaam to us, replying to them is obligatory.
“The Muslim has five rights over his fellow-Muslim: he should return his salaams, visit him when he is sick, attend his funeral, accept his invitation, and pray for mercy for him [say “Yar ha’mu kallaah”] when he sneezes.”(Bukhari & Muslim)
So those are the rules of saying salaam when entering an empty room. Allah Knows Best.