Project "Revive a Sunnah" Week 7

Week 7: November 17th-24th 2006
(26th of Shawwaal-2nd of Dhul Qa'dah 1427 AH)

"As Salaamu Alaykoum wa Rahmatullahi wa Baraktuhu"; This is the most beautiful greeting a person can greet you with. Alhumdulillah, most of us greet each other with this greeting, and we stay away from using the likes of "Hi", "Hello", "What's up?!" or anything else close to that nature. Alhumdulillah. However, what we are going to address this week is a point within the spreading of "salaams". I'll mention the ahadith first, and then clarify what I am trying to convey, insha Allah.

From the Ahadith:

1.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "By Him in Whose Hand is my life! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I inform you of something which, if you do, you will love one another? Promote greetings amongst yourselves.''
[Muslim].

2.
`Abdullah bin Salam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "O people, exchange greetings of peace (i.e., say: As-Salamu `Alaikum to one another), feed people, strengthen the ties of kinship, and be in prayer when others are asleep, you will enter Jannah in peace.''
[At-Tirmidhi].

3.
Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man asked the Messenger of Allah (PBUH): "Which act in Islam is the best?'' He (PBUH) replied, "To give food, and to greet everyone, whether you know or you do not.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

From these ahadith, we see the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) stresseing the importance of spreading "salaams" to a great extent. As we mentioned earlier, we do greet each other with "salaams", alhumdulillah. However, for the most part, our "salaams" only extend to those we know. And, insha Allah, this should not be the case. As the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) advised us, we should spread "salaams" to all Muslims, whether we know them or not. This will create the much-needed love and care, which our Muslim communities lack.

A piece of practical advice: The next time you walk past Muslims in the Masjid after say…'Isha prayer…give them your salaams, whether you know them or not. Also, this noble act should not only be restricted to the Masaajid, rather it should be implemented in every place our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters are encountered.

You are most welcome to direct any Feedback/Comments/Suggestions

/Nominations to albosnawi@gmail.com

May Allah reward you all.
Praise be to Allah and may the blessings be upon the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam).

Wa Salaamu Alaykoum,

Kemal Smajlovic