The Dhaka Times Desk As a reply to the salam 'Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu' you say,
'Wa Alaikum Salam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu'. So many virtues and so much importance of this salam that Allah mentions salam in several verses in the Holy Qur'an. Not only that, the Prophet of the world, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has described the importance, virtues and benefits of salam in several hadiths. Today we will know some important sayings of Allah and His Messenger about Salam.
Some verses of the Qur'an related to Salam:
1. Allah Ta'ala says, “O you who believe, do not enter anyone's house except your own, until you seek permission and greet the occupants of the house. This is good for you, so that you accept the admonition”. [Surah Noor, Verse: 27]
2. "Then when you enter the house, say salam to your relatives, this is a blessed and holy prayer from Allah." [Surah Noor, Verse: 61 (in part)]
3. "And when you are greeted, give a better greeting than that. Or will give so in response”. [Surah Nisa, verse: 86]
4. Allah Ta'ala Himself will welcome the inhabitants of Jannah, "They will be (welcomed) from the Most Merciful Owner and will be told, (Peace be upon you)". (Surah Yasin, verse 58)
The words of some hadiths:
1. On the authority of Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'as Radiyallahu 'anhu, who said,
"A person asked the Messenger of God, O Messenger of God! What is the best practice in Islam? The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, "Feed the people and greet everyone whom you know and whom you do not know." [Bukhari and Muslim]
2. In the hadith narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA), the Holy Prophet (SAW) said:
When Allah Ta'ala created Adam, He said, “Go, greet the company of angels who are stationed. And hear what they reply to your greetings. So shall be the salutation of you and your children.” Then Adam (A.S.) said - "As-Salaamu Alaikum". In response, the angels said, As-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah. Rasulullah (s.a.w.s.) said, "They, may Allah have mercy on them, increased the portion."
(Bukhari, Muslim, Mishkat Ha/4628)
3. On the authority of Abu Umarah al-Bara' ibn Azeeb, may God be pleased with him, who said:
"The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, instructed us in seven things: 1. Visiting the patient, 2. Participating in the funeral prayer, 3. Responding to sneezing, 4. Helping the weak, 5. Helping oppressed people, 6. Spreading Salam, 7. Freeing the swearer”. Bukhari and Muslim.
4. On the authority of Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
"You will not enter Paradise until you become complete believers. And you will not be complete believers until you love one another. Shall I show you one thing by which you will love one another? Then he said, spread the salam more and more. [Muslim].
5. On the authority of Abu Yusuf Abdullah ibn Salam Radiyallahu 'anhu, he said,
"I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, saying, O mankind! You extend salam, feed people, maintain kinship, and when people sleep, you pray. Then you will enter Paradise safely. (Tirmidhi)
6. On the authority of Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
A rider shall salute a person on foot and a person on foot shall salute a person sitting. And few people will greet more people. Bukhari and Muslim.
7. On the authority of Abu Umama Chudai Ibn 'Azlan al-Bahili Radiyallahu 'Anhu', he said that the Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace, said, "The best person in the sight of Allah is the one who greets people beforehand." [Abu Dawud is a good chain of transmission]
8. Imam Tirmidhi narrates on the authority of Abu Umama Radiyallahu 'Anhu, who said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked, O Messenger of Allah! When two people meet, which person will greet first? The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "The one who is closer to Allah between the two of them will greet first." [Tirmidhi]
9. On the authority of Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“When you meet your other brother, greet him. If they hide behind a tree, a building or a rock, then you see them again, then you should greet them again”. [Abu-Dawood]
10. Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said:
“The most helpless is the person who is unable to make dua [to Allah]. And the most miserly is he who is miserly even to greet.”
(Silsilatul Ahadees Sahih, Hadith 601)
Also remember-
1. It is Sunnah to greet a Muslim when meeting him.
2. At the time of salutation, let there be an intention in the heart that the wealth of the person to whom I am saluting is under my protection and I consider it forbidden to interfere in any of these matters.
3. It is Sunnah to greet first. Because our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to greet us.
4. It is wajib to answer the salam immediately so that the person giving the salam can hear it.
Then from today we will all exchange greetings with each other. We will gain the pleasure of Allah by spreading Salam. I will pray for each other's peace and share in the reward. May Allah grant us taufiq to do the deed of salam. Amen
English 
Bengali