42/28. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2721 — Correct Way to Give Salam
What Has Been Related About It Being Disliked To Say: "Alaikas-Salam" When Initiating The Greeting
Hadith About Correct Salam in Islam
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2721
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2721
حَدَّثَنَا سُوَيْدٌ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، أَخْبَرَنَا خَالِدٌ الْحَذَّاءُ، عَنْ أَبِي تَمِيمَةَ الْهُجَيْمِيِّ، عَنْ رَجُلٍ، مِنْ قَوْمِهِ قَالَ طَلَبْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَمْ أَقْدِرْ عَلَيْهِ فَجَلَسْتُ فَإِذَا نَفَرٌ هُوَ فِيهِمْ وَلاَ أَعْرِفُهُ وَهُوَ يُصْلِحُ بَيْنَهُمْ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ قَامَ مَعَهُ بَعْضُهُمْ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . فَلَمَّا رَأَيْتُ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ عَلَيْكَ السَّلاَمُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ السَّلاَمُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ السَّلاَمُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ " إِنَّ عَلَيْكَ السَّلاَمُ تَحِيَّةُ الْمَيِّتِ إِنَّ عَلَيْكَ السَّلاَمُ تَحِيَّةُ الْمَيِّتِ " . ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَىَّ فَقَالَ " إِذَا لَقِيَ الرَّجُلُ أَخَاهُ الْمُسْلِمَ فَلْيَقُلِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ " . ثُمَّ رَدَّ عَلَىَّ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " وَعَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَعَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَعَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَقَدْ رَوَى هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ أَبُو غِفَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي تَمِيمَةَ الْهُجَيْمِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي جُرَىٍّ، جَابِرِ بْنِ سُلَيْمٍ الْهُجَيْمِيِّ قَالَ أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَ الْحَدِيثَ . وَأَبُو تَمِيمَةَ اسْمُهُ طَرِيفُ بْنُ مُجَالِدٍ .
Abu Tamimah Al-Hujaimi Narrated from:
Narrated Abu Tamimah Al-Hujaimi: From A Man Among His People, Who Said: "I Went Looking For The Prophet (ﷺ) But I Was Not Able To Find Him. So I Sat Down, And Then I Saw A Group Of People, And He Was Among Them, But I Did Not Recognize Him. He Was Settling Some Matter Between Them So When He Was Finished, Some Of Them Stood Up With Him And They Were Saying: 'O Messenger Of Allah.'When I Saw That, I Said: "'Alaikas-Salam (Upon You Be Peace) O Messenger Of Allah! 'Alaikas-Salam (Upon You Be Peace) O Messenger Of Allah! 'Alaikas-Salam (Upon You Be Peace) O Messenger Of Allah!' He Replied: 'Indeed "'Alaikas-Salam (Upon You Be Peace)" Is The Greeting For The Dead.'Then He Came Toward Me And Said: 'When A Man Meets His Muslim Brother Then He Should Say: "As-Salamu 'Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh (Peace Be Upon You, And The Mercy And Blessings Of Allah)." Then The Prophet (ﷺ) Responded To My Greeting, He Said: 'And May Allah'S Mercy Be Upon You, And May Allah'S Mercy Be Upon You, And May Allah'S Mercy Be Upon You.'"
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2721In-book reference : Book 42, Hadith 34English translation : Vol. 5, Book 40, Hadith 2721
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2721
This Hadith teaches the proper Islamic greeting when a Muslim meets another Muslim. The man said Alaikas-Salam to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم three times, but the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم corrected him and explained that this wording was used as a greeting for the dead. He then taught the living greeting: As-Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh. The main lesson is simple: salam in Islam is not just a habit; it is a taught form of respect, mercy, and blessing. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also responded with mercy, showing gentle correction. This Hadith about salam reminds Muslims to learn the wording of greetings carefully and to greet one another with peace and kindness.
What we learn from this hadith
- The proper greeting between Muslims is As-Salamu Alaikum with mercy and blessings.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم corrected mistakes in a clear and gentle way.
- Salam carries meanings of peace, mercy, and blessing.
- A Muslim should learn the wording of greetings from the Sunnah.
