Etiquettes and Rulings of Salaam in Islamic Prayer New

Salaam is a prayer of peace and mercy, and it is exclusively for Muslims. Non-Muslims are not greeted with Salaam. This Salaam marks the end of the prayer, and once it is performed, the prayer is concluded. The following are some etiquettes and rulings related to the Salaam in prayer.

(1) The Obligation of Salaam:

The Hanafi school considers Salaam to be obligatory, while the majority of scholars regard it as a pillar of the prayer. The view that Salaam is a pillar is stronger according to evidence. The Prophet ﷺ said:
Translation:
Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

مِفتاحُ الصَّلاةِ الطُّهورُ وتحريمُها التَّكبيرُ وتحليلُها التَّسليمُ(صحيح أبي داود:618)
Translation: The key to prayer is purification, its prohibition is the Takbir (Allah Akbar), and its permissibility is the Salaam (saying “As-Salaam Alaikum”).
The prayer begins with saying “Allahu Akbar,” and during this time, talking or engaging in any act contrary to prayer is prohibited, which is why it is called Takbir al-Tahreem (prohibition). The prayer ends with Salaam, which is why it is called the “Tahleel” (permissibility), meaning the restrictions of the prayer are lifted with it.
Based on this Hadith, both the Takbir al-Tahreem and the Salaam are pillars; without them, the prayer is not valid.

(2) The Method of Saying Salaam:

Whether the prayer is one rak’ah or more, after reciting the final Tashahhud, Salat upon the Prophet, and supplications, the Salaam is said. When beginning the Salaam, one should face the Qiblah and say “Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi” while turning fully to the right so that the person to the right can see the cheek. Then, after facing the Qiblah again, say “Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi” while turning fully to the left so that the person to the left can see the cheek. It is permissible that when turning, the person’s gaze is towards the right or left shoulder or towards the other worshippers.
Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood ؓ narrated:
أنَّ رسولَ اللَّهِ صلَّى اللَّهُ عليْهِ وسلَّمَ كانَ ” يسلِّمُ عن يمينِهِ: السَّلامُ عليْكم ورحمةُ اللَّهِ حتَّى يُرى بياضُ خدِّهِ الأيمنِ، وعن يسارِه: السَّلامُ عليْكم ورحمةُ اللَّهِ حتَّى يرى بياضُ خدِّهِ الأيسرِ(صحيح النسائي:1324)
Translation: The Prophet ﷺ would say Salaam to his right and left (saying: “Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi”) until the whiteness of his right cheek was visible, and similarly, the whiteness of his left cheek would be visible.
Some people mistakenly say “Assalamu Alaikum” while facing the Qiblah and then turn when saying “Wa Rahmatullahi.” Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen declared this practice as baseless, and Sheikh Salih al-Fawzan also stated that the turning should be done when saying Salaam.

(3) Common Mistakes When Saying Salaam:

When saying Salaam, there is no need to turn the entire body to the right or left, though this practice is found among some people, particularly women. This is incorrect, as the turning of the face alone is sufficient. It is also incorrect to make gestures with the hands while saying Salaam, as some companions used to do, but the Prophet ﷺ prohibited them from doing so.
A significant mistake is when followers (Muqtadi) start saying Salaam immediately with the Imam. For example, as soon as the Imam begins to say Salaam, the followers also start, even if the Imam has not completed both sides of Salaam. The correct practice is that the followers should wait for the Imam to complete both sides of Salaam before they begin their Salaam.
Similarly, it is incorrect for a person who has missed a part of the prayer (Musuq) to get up for the missed rak’ah immediately when the Imam starts the second Salaam. Instead, they should wait until the Imam has completed both sides of Salaam before standing up. Some scholars have said that it is preferable to stand after the second Salaam, but I have mentioned that Salaam is a pillar of the prayer, and if someone stands before the second Salaam is completed, their prayer becomes invalid. Therefore, a person who has missed a rak’ah should wait for the Imam to complete both Salams and then stand up.
Another common mistake is when someone joins the congregation after the Imam has started saying Salaam, thinking they can still join the prayer. However, the prayer ends with Salaam, and one must not join the congregation after it has started. If a person enters the mosque and finds the Imam already saying Salaam, they should wait for the Imam to finish his Salaam, and then they may pray separately or join another congregation if available.

(4) The Ruling on Turning While Saying Salaam

It is established from the Prophet ﷺ that he turned to both the right and left when saying Salaam, indicating that turning while saying Salaam is a Sunnah. A question arises: if someone does not turn or forgets to turn while saying Salaam, will the prayer still be valid? The answer is that Salaam (saying “As-Salaam Alaikum”) is a pillar of prayer, and if this is achieved, the prayer is valid. However, since the Prophet ﷺ instructed us to pray as he prayed, and turning during Salaam is a Sunnah, this should not be intentionally omitted.

(5) One Salaam or Two in the Obligatory Prayer?

Someone asked Sheikh Ibn Baz (rahimahullah) whether it is permissible to only say Salaam to the right side in prayer, as one person did, and if this is sufficient. Sheikh Ibn Baz responded that the majority of scholars consider one Salaam sufficient because some Hadiths indicate this, but many scholars maintain that it is necessary to say Salaam on both sides, as this is the practice of the Prophet ﷺ. He ﷺ said:
صلوا كما رأيتموني أصلي رواه البخاري في صحيحه
Translation: “Pray as you have seen me pray.” (Bukhari)
This view is correct. Saying Salaam on one side alone is weak because the Hadiths supporting it are either weak or unclear. Even if it were considered authentic, it would be considered rare and would contradict what is more established and clear. However, if someone does so due to ignorance or a belief in the authenticity of those Hadiths, their prayer remains valid. (Majmu’ Fatawa and Articles of Sheikh Ibn Baz 11/166)
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen said that there is a difference of opinion among scholars on whether one Salaam is sufficient. Some say it is, while others say it is not, and some believe it suffices in voluntary prayers but not in obligatory prayers. These are three opinions, and the safest course is to say Salaam on both sides. This way, no one can claim that the prayer is invalid. If one only says Salaam on one side, some scholars may consider the prayer invalid. It is known that the Prophet ﷺ instructed us to exercise caution in matters where the evidence is not clear. (Sharh al-Mumt’i 3/211-212).
In conclusion, both sides of Salaam should be said in prayer, and one Salaam is not sufficient.

A common misconception is that the devil is on the left side, so only Salaam should be said to the right. This view is rejected and false.

(6) Whom Are We Greeting When Saying Salaam?

When a person says Salaam at the end of the prayer, they should intend to exit the prayer, as well as greet the guarding angels and the worshippers in the mosque. This is the reason for greeting the people on the right and left.
عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ، قَالَ: كُنَّا إِذَا صَلَّيْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قُلْنَا: السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ، وَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى الْجَانِبَيْنِ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «عَلَامَ تُومِئُونَ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ كَأَنَّهَا أَذْنَابُ خَيْلٍ شُمْسٍ؟ إِنَّمَا يَكْفِي أَحَدَكُمْ أَنْ يَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَى فَخِذِهِ ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمُ عَلَى أَخِيهِ مَنْ عَلَى يَمِينِهِ، وَشِمَالِهِ»(صحيح مسلم: 431)
Translation: Jabir ibn Samurah narrated: “When we prayed behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, we would say: ‘Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi, Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi,’ and he indicated with his hands to both sides. Then the Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Why do you gesture with your hands as though they are the tails of wild horses? It is enough for one of you to place his hand on his thigh and then greet his brother on the right and left.'”
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen said that if one is asked whom the Salaam is for, the answer is that if one is praying in congregation, it is for the worshippers, and if one is praying alone, it is for the angels present on the right and left. (Sharh al-Mumt’i 3/208).

A clarification: The Hadith from Sahih Muslim is often cited by the Hanafi school to argue that raising the hands during prayer is not prescribed. However, this Hadith pertains to the act of Salaam and does not concern raising hands during Ruku or when standing. Therefore, Imam al-Nasa’i and Imam Abu Dawood included this Hadith under the chapter of Salaam.

(7) Passing Wind During Salaam

If wind passes before the first Salaam is said, the prayer is invalid, and a person must make fresh wudu and restart the prayer. However, if wind passes after the first Salaam but before the second, there is a difference of opinion. Those who consider one Salaam sufficient believe the prayer is still valid, but those who require two Salams consider the prayer invalid. Evidence strongly suggests that one Salaam is not sufficient, so if wind passes after the first Salaam and before the second, one should renew wudu and repeat the prayer. The opinion of the Hanafi school, contrary to the Sunnah, is that if wind passes during or before Salaam or any action against the prayer occurs, the prayer becomes invalid.

(8) Saying Just “As-Salaam Alaikum” or Adding “Wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu”

The minimum requirement for Salaam is “As-Salaam Alaikum,” as stated in the Hadith that the key to the prayer is Allahu Akbar, and its permissibility is Salaam, meaning saying “As-Salaam Alaikum.” Therefore, if one only says “As-Salaam Alaikum,” it suffices.
Muslim’s narration states:
وَكَانَ يَخْتِمُ الصَّلَاةَ بِالتَّسْلِيمِ(صحیح مسلم: 783)
Translation: “He ﷺ would end the prayer with Salaam.”
A clear proof from Sunan an-Nasa’i mentions only “As-Salaam Alaikum.”
HazratJabir bin Samurah ؓ narrated: “When we prayed behind the Prophet ﷺ, we used to greet with our hands, and he said: ‘Why are you gesturing with your hands like the tails of wild horses? It is sufficient for each one of you to place his hand on his thigh and then say: As-Salaam Alaikum, As-Salaam Alaikum.'” (Sunan an-Nasa’i 1184)
This Hadith is also cited in “Nail al-Awtar,” where Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah mentioned that the phrase “As-Salaam Alaikum” suffices.
Regarding the addition of “Wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,” it is narrated from Wail ibn Hajar in Abu Dawood that the Prophet ﷺ said “As-Salaam Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu” to the right, and to the left “As-Salaam Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi.”
علقمہ bin Wail narrated from his father:
صلَّيتُ معَ النَّبيِّ صلَّى اللَّهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ فَكانَ يسلِّمُ عن يمينِهِ السَّلامُ عليكم ورحمةُ اللَّهِ وبرَكاتُهُ وعن شمالِهِ السَّلامُ عليكم ورحمةُ اللَّهِ(صحيح أبي داود: 997)
Translation: “I prayed with the Prophet ﷺ. He ﷺ would say ‘As-Salaam Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu’ to the right, and ‘As-Salaam Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi’ to the left.”
Some scholars have allowed the addition of “Wa Rahmatullahi” based on this narration, and this is affirmed by scholars like al-Albani, Ibn Hajar, and al-Nawawi. However, the best and preferred practice is to stick with “As-Salaam Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi,” as this was the Prophet’s most frequent practice. Saying “Wa Barakatuhu” occasionally is not problematic.

(9) One or Two Salams in the Funeral Prayer

Sheikh al-Albani reported from Ata bin Sayeed in “Ahkam al-Janazah” with a Hasan chain:
أنَّ رسولَ اللَّهِ صلَّى اللهُ علَيهِ وسلَّمَ صلَّى علَى جنازةٍ ، فَكَبَّرَ عليها أربعًا ، وسلَّمَ تسليمةً واحدةً (احكام الجنائز: 163)
Translation: “The Prophet ﷺ prayed over a funeral and said four Takbirs, and only one Salaam.”
Due to this narration, some scholars have said that one Salaam in the funeral prayer is Sunnah, though it is also acceptable to say Salaam on both sides. Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen said that in the funeral prayer, only the right side should receive Salaam, but if someone says Salaam to both sides, there is no harm. There is flexibility in this matter, as some reports indicate the Prophet ﷺ said Salaam to both sides. (Fatwa Noor al-Darb)
Sheikh al-Albani stated that in the funeral prayer, two Salams exist, and some people have wrongly restricted the prayer to only one Salaam. He says that while it is permissible to only say one Salaam in the funeral prayer, two Salams are preferred. (Fatwa al-Albani, collected and arranged by Abu Abd al-Rahman Adil bin Saad)

In conclusion, both one and two Salams in the funeral prayer are permissible.