Human Relation in Islam-Greetings & Response – JSS1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

The Islamic greeting is “As-Salamu Alaykum” (Peace be upon you), and its response is “Wa Alaykum As-Salam” (And peace be upon you too).

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Say the Islamic greeting and its response, and give their meanings.
2. Explain why greetings are important in Islam.
3. State who should start the greeting.
4. List the basic, better and best forms of the greeting.
5. State the benefits of Islamic greetings and name other forms of greeting.

What is the Islamic greeting?

The Islamic greeting is the saying of “As-Salamu Alaykum”, which means “Peace be upon you.”

• Purpose: it builds friendship and peace in the community.
• Source: it follows the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
• Meaning: it is a prayer asking Allah to give peace to the person you greet.
• Reward: Allah rewards a Muslim who greets others.
• Message: it reminds both people that peace matters in Islam.

What is the response to the greeting?

The response is “Wa Alaykum As-Salam”, which means “And peace be upon you too.”

• Replying: a Muslim who is greeted should answer the greeting.
• Better or equal: the Qur’an teaches us to reply with a better greeting or at least the same one (Qur’an 4:86).
• Example: if someone says “As-Salamu Alaykum”, you may reply “Wa Alaykum As-Salam Wa Rahmatullah”.

Why are Islamic greetings important?

Islamic greetings are important because they follow the Prophet’s example and bring love, peace and equality.

1. Following Prophet Muhammad’s example: he greeted people warmly and taught that greeting others is one of the best deeds.
2. Building love among Muslims: greeting makes people feel closer and more friendly.
3. Removing anger and bad feelings: it is hard to stay angry with someone when you wish them peace.
4. Showing equality: greeting rich and poor, young and old shows that all Muslims are equal before Allah.

What did the Prophet say about spreading greetings?

• The saying: “You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another.”
• The question: “Shall I tell you something which, if you do it, will make you love one another?”
• The answer: “Spread the greeting of peace among yourselves.”

What are the rules of Islamic greetings?

The rules of greeting tell us who should start the greeting and how to say it.

Who should start the greeting?

What are the basic, better and best forms of the greeting?

There are three forms of the greeting: basic, better and best.

• Rule: the more complete the greeting, the more reward it brings.

Can Muslims greet non-Muslims?

Muslims should be kind, friendly and respectful to non-Muslims.

• First view: some scholars say a Muslim may say “As-Salamu Alaykum” to them.
• Second view: other scholars suggest saying “Peace be upon you” in the local language.
• Common ground: good manners and respect apply to everyone.

What are the benefits of Islamic greetings?

The benefits of Islamic greetings are rewards from Allah, peace in society and good relations between people.

1. Getting rewards from Allah: every greeting earns rewards (hasanat).
2. Creating a peaceful society: when everyone wishes peace for others, the community becomes more peaceful.
3. Breaking the ice: greeting is a good way to start talking to someone you do not know well.
4. Showing good character: a person who greets others shows good manners and follows Islamic teaching.
5. Removing loneliness: greeting someone who is alone or sad makes them feel included.

What other forms of greeting do Muslims use?

Besides “As-Salamu Alaykum”, Muslims use four other friendly greetings: “Marhaban”, smiling, shaking hands and hugging.

1. Saying “Marhaban” (Welcome): it shows the person is welcome in your home or place.
2. Smiling: the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Your smile to your brother is a charity.”
3. Shaking hands: shaking hands with another Muslim of the same gender is a sunnah (practice of the Prophet).
4. Hugging: close friends or family members may hug when they have not met for a long time.

What stories teach us about Islamic greetings?

Two stories teach us that a fuller greeting brings more reward and that a reply should be better than the greeting.

The three men who greeted the Prophet

1. A man said “As-Salamu Alaykum”. The Prophet replied and said “Ten”, meaning ten rewards.
2. Another man said “As-Salamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah”. The Prophet replied and said “Twenty”.
3. A third man said “As-Salamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh”. The Prophet replied and said “Thirty”.

• Lesson: a more complete greeting earns more reward.

Adam and the angels

1. Allah created the first man, Adam (peace be upon him).
2. Allah told him to greet a group of angels and listen to their reply.
3. Allah said that their reply would be his greeting and the greeting of his children.
4. Adam said “As-Salamu Alaykum”.
5. The angels replied “As-Salamu Alayka Wa Rahmatullah”, adding “and the mercy of Allah”.

• Lesson: the greeting of Muslims comes from Allah, and a reply should be better than the greeting.

Evaluation

1. Write the main Islamic greeting and its response, and give their meanings.
2. State four reasons why greetings are important in Islam.
3. Who should greet first: the person riding or the person walking? Give two more examples of who should start the greeting.
4. Write the basic, better and best forms of the greeting.
5. Name three other forms of greeting used by Muslims.

Assignment

List five benefits of Islamic greetings. Then write in your own words the story of the three men who greeted the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the rewards he named for each greeting.