IMPORTANCE OF SALAAM

It is related by Abdullah Ibne Amr Ibne Aas radhiyallahu anhu that the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said:

"O people.' Worship Allah, the Beneficent, feed His Bondsmen, and spread Salaam much, and you will reach Heaven in safety"

Tirmizi

COMMENTARY:
In this Hadeeth, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has taught three things and given the tidings of Paradise to those who observe them.

Firstly, worshipping Allah, the Beneficent, which is the exclusive Claim of the Lord, and the high aim and purpose of creation;

Secondly, the giving of food to the poor and needy persons, as an act of charity, and to friends and relatives and virtuous Slaves of Allah, as a token of love and sincerity, which is an excellent way of uniting the hearts and promoting mutual affection, and also, a cure for the deadly ailment of stinginess ;

Thirdly, to make common the salutation of Assalaamu 'Alaykum and Wa' Alaykum Assalaam among the Muslims, on the widest scale, which is a distinguishing practice of Islaam and a formula of prayer taught by the Almighty Himself. Upon these three things, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has given the assurance that whoever will observe them will safely attain the goal of paradise,

Abdullah Ibne Amr radhiyallahu anhu narrates that once a person enquired from the Apostle of Allah what was a better and a more superior act of Islaam (or a more superior practice among the practices of Islaam)? "To feed the Bondsmen of the Lord; and to make salutation (Salaam) to those you know as well as to those you do not know"( the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied).

Bukhaari, Muslim

COMMENTARY:
In this Hadeeth, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has described the giving of food and spreading of Salaam as most meritorious deeds in Islaam. In some other Traditions, acts like God remembrance and Jihaad and kindly treatment  and obedience to parents, too, have been mentioned as the "best" and "most superior" of acts. But as we have repeatedly emphasised, there is no inconsistency in them. The variation is due, simply, to the divergence in the needs and circumstances of the questioners, and, in various ways, all these deeds command an exceptional significance in the Islaamic design of life. '

Rules of Meeting Each Other

DIVINE REWARD FOR GREETING