Amal Al-Sibai

Saudi Gazette

 

Hi!

Marhaba!

Bonjour!

Ciao!

 

We hear these salutations all the time and everywhere; gaining popularity especially among the younger generation at home, social gatherings, college, and work.



The world has become a multicultural place and we have picked up on so many forms of greetings from several different languages, which can be pretty cool.



However, we tend to disregard the universal greeting recommended to be used by all Muslims, from different races, nationalities, and regions of the world. The greeting in Islam holds a far richer and more profound meaning and more sincere wishes of well-being than a plain ‘marhaba’, ‘ahlan’, ‘hi’, or ‘ciao’ could express!



As-salamu Alaikum. What does it mean?



It is most closely translated into peace be upon you, and it can be used for both ‘hello’ and ‘good-bye’.



What better greeting could we want to hear from our best friend, boss at work, sales representative in the store, nurse, or brother? That is the last thing we should say to our children in the morning as they set off to school, taking our hearts with them, praying for them to have a peaceful day at school and to return safely to our arms.



Peace of mind, peace in our hearts, peace in our family and social relationships with one another, and peace in the contract between employee and employer. Peace is what a Muslim says to others and ideally he/she should also behave towards others accordingly; with peace, compassion, tolerance, patience, and optimism.



Incidentally, by simply wishing peace to someone else, it almost instantly boosts the amiable feelings between the two of you.



“You will not enter Paradise until you believe and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not guide you to something that, if you did it, will make you love one another? Spread greetings of peace among yourselves.” (Sahih Muslim)



Try it instead of ‘hi’ or ‘hey’; it really works!



And why shy away from this wonderful habit, when the words ‘as-salamu alaikum’, ‘peace be upon you’ will be the greeting of the angels and the greetings of the inhabitants of Paradise amongst themselves?



When walking into a room full of people, you are obligated to offer the greeting of peace or salam to everyone you pass by, and not only to your close friends or those from an elite social group.



When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked by a man, what is the best actions to do in Islam, the Messenger (peace be upon him) replied, “To feed the hungry and to greet with peace those you know and those you do not know.” (Sahih Bukhari)



The meaning of spreading peace ‘to those you know and those you do not know’ is to leave a fingerprint of peace on the world at large.



Muslims are promised Paradise if they worship one Lord (Allah) sincerely and if they lead a life of selflessness, giving, and peace.



The Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed, “Oh you people, spread salam (peace) among you, serve the food, behave kindly with your blood relations, and offer prayer at night when others are asleep, and you will enter Paradise.”



To achieve Paradise, Muslims have been taught to spread peace and to uplift the human condition, not to destroy or terrorize innocents, so if a violent or destructive group claims to be Islamic then they have failed to understand the religion and they do not represent Islam, a peaceful religion in its essence.



Regarding the manners or etiquette in saying the words of salam, for example who should say it first in a group and what to reply back, there are certain guidelines to keep in mind.



The one coming towards a group greets the ones who were already present. The one who is riding greets the person on foot. The one walking by initiates the greeting to those who are sitting. The smaller group greets the bigger group.



Out of respect, the younger should offer salam or peace to the elder first. As for what to answer back when a Muslim extends a greeting of peace to you and says, ‘as-salamu alaikum’, you reply with a wish for peace, and more.



The more complete your response to the greeting, the greater your reward, so you can answer back, “Wa alaikum as-salam wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuhu”, meaning, “May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.”



How desperately in need are we of hearing such a greeting, saturated with emotion and well wishes? May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon us all.