The Virtues of Salaam in Islam – Importance

Review by : Yuli SE., MM

Salaam is one of special courtesy in the life of Muslims. Saying salaam especially when meet or visit someone is not only a tradition but also it can be a way to change yourself to be better in Islam. Even The Messenger of Allah Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam give a big attention to this Salaam.

He also always give a motivation and practice it in daily life. As a quote from Bukhari based on akhlaq of the Prophet Muhammad SAW :

“If the Messenger of Allah came to a people, then he said salaam to them three times.” (Narrated by Bukhari)

Of course, it implied that salaam has a virtue in the life of Muslims in the world. Salaam is also not only used as a symbol that is delivered to special people in the opening or closing of an event. Abdullah Bin Amr said, a companion has asked to Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, “What Islam is the best? Then he answered in the narrated of Bukhari-Muslim that sound :

“Good Islam is feeding, saying salaam to known and unknown people.” (Bukhari-Muslim)

Rasulullah has arranged a rule in spreading salaam in many of his hadith. Because of that, some Ulama put it in a special chapter called Shapter Salaam. Allah Subhanahi Wa Ta’ala has also arranged about the courtesy of Salaam especially when you will go in someone’s residence, as in Surah An-Nur verse 27, Allah SWT said :

“O you who have believed, do not enter houses than your own houses until you ascertain welcome and greet their inhabitants. That is best for you; perhaps you will be reminded.” (An-Nur : 27)

The courtesy of Salaam, for some Muslims is still a common culture. In this sense, it does not mean that the majority of Muslims do not know about it, but they are not accustomed to practice it in daily life. And of course, thee are many Muslim who do not know about the virtue of Salaam. Mos of them tend to prefer greetings in dimple languages, such as saying hi, hello, good morning, good afternoon, good night and other speech.

Of course, this is not a part of Islamic principle. In the modern era like today, saying Salaam for some people is only used to people who are known. As the word of Ibnu Mashud in hadith of Bukhari :

“There will come a time, during that time someone will just say salaam to the person who he knows only.”

As a provision for all of us, it will be good to know more about the virtue of Salaam. The following will describe the three virtues of Salaam in Islam.

[AdSense-B]

The virtues of Salaam in Islam

Salaam becomes one of courtesy that was almost forgotten by the most of Muslims. But the command to spread Salaam has some virtues, theses virtues cause the envy of Jews.

“From Aisyah Radhiyallahu ‘anha, from Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam said : It is not Jewish to be against you about something, like its envy to you in the matter of salaam and the words of Aamiin.” (Ibn Majah 856 and Ibn Khuzaimah)

The virtues of Salaam in Islam are :

Salaam is one way to get a lot of rewards

The first virtue of Salaam, Salaam is a way to get a lot of rewards. As a narration, One day Abdullah bin Umar RA went to the market, he said Salaam to everyone that he met.

Then a companion asked,

“what are you doing in the market, O Ibn Umar? You are not trading, buying something and folowing the assembly in he market?”

Then Ibn Umar answered,

“Indeed I go there to spread Salaam to everyone that I meet.”

Abu Huraurah RS narrated the hadith which reads :

“From Abu Hurairah Radhiyallahu ‘anhu, that a man came to the Prophet saw and said : “Assalamu’alaikum”. So the Prophet said : “ten goodness for him” Another man came and said : “Assalamu’alaikum wa rahmatullah” The prophet saw said : “twenty goodness for him” then another man came and said : “Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wa barakatuhu” He responded to him and said : “Thirty goodness for him” (Narrated by Ibn Hibban 493, Abu Dawud 5195, Tirmidhi 2689)