Topics: Manners

The Importance of Returning the Salam: A Guide to Islamic Greetings

Responding to Greetings with Kindness and Respect: A Quranic Perspective

RETURNING THE SALAM, WITH A BETTER SALAM

ALLĀH says,

وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّواْ بِأَحۡسَنَ مِنۡهَآ أَوۡ رُدُّوهَآۗ

And when you are greeted with a greeting, respond with a better greeting or at least similarly.

The greeting is that which is spoken by one of the two who meet one another, by way of honouring and praying for the other, along with what accompanies that of smiles and so on.

The best and most sublime of greetings is that which is taught by Islam of initiating and returning the greeting of salam.

ALLĀH instructs the believers that when they are greeted in any manner, they should give a response that is better than it in terms of wording, smiles and so on. What we may understand from this is that it is not allowed to refrain from returning the greeting altogether or to return it with something less than it.

From this verse we learn that initiating the greeting of salam is encouraged on the basis of two things:

ALLĀH instructs us to respond to the greeting with something better than it or (at least) equal to it. This implies that initiating the greeting is required according to Islamic teaching.

The fact that it refers to something better indicates that participating in giving then returning the greeting is a good thing.

However there is an exception to the general meaning of the verse, which is when someone greets another in a situation where it is not enjoined to return the greeting, such as if that person is busy reading Qur’an, listening to a khutbah, praying, and the like; in that case he is not required to respond to the greeting. A similar exception is made in the case of one whom the Lawgiver has instructed us to shun and not greet, namely the repentant sinner who may be deterred by shunning. He is to be shunned and not greeted, and his greeting is not to be returned, because doing so would undermine the general interest that may be achieved by shunning him.

Returning the greeting includes every greeting that is customary among the people and is not forbidden according to Islamic teachings; we are enjoined to return such greetings with a greeting that is equal to or better than it.

{Tafsi‌r As-Sa’di}

Author: IslamicHelper

IslamicHelper

Recent Articles

The Crisis of Delayed Marriage in Society

In an era of profound social change, the age of marriage is steadily rising, creating silent fractures in our communities.… Read More

3 days ago

Buffalo Sacrifice: Salaf View vs. Ijma Claims

Explore the early Islamic view (Salaf) on buffalo sacrifice. This analysis refutes claims of scholarly consensus (Ijma'), showing how Zakat… Read More

3 days ago

Intimacy in Islam: Guide for Couples in Their 30s

Explore how Islamic teachings can deepen intimacy in your marriage as you enter your thirties. Discover practical tips, Sunnah practices,… Read More

5 days ago

Free Sahih Bukhari PDF Download: English, Urdu & More

Access the authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with our free Sahih Bukhari PDF downloads. Available in English, Urdu, French,… Read More

3 weeks ago

Hajj in Quran and Sunnah: A Comprehensive Guide with Key References

Discover the profound significance of Hajj, a pillar of Islam, through a comprehensive analysis of its primary references in the… Read More

1 month ago

Beware: Shaytan’s Seven Traps to Misguide You

Discover the seven cunning traps Shaytan uses to lead believers astray, as explained by Imam Ibn al-Qayyim. Learn how to… Read More

1 month ago