Bismillahi Rahmaani Raheem,

With the name of Allah, the most loving & caring, the always loving and caring,

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “By Him in Whose Hand is my life! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I inform you of something which, if you do, you will love one another? Promote greetings amongst yourselves.”

What a greeting is the salam! Any greeting, from a person you know or even do not, has such power to create unity, a bond, and just make one feel great. The salam is all that to an even greater extent, and much more: it unites people stronger as ones who are united in the fulfillment of their purpose; it is a reminder of Allah and our goal; and it is ultimately a most beautiful du’a.

Most greetings are bereft of any meaning, and are ways of filling space and covering awkwardness; whereas the greeting of Allah is light on the tongues, yet heavy on the heart with a meaning that can make even the hardest of hearts cry. And it is even heavier than that in [reward], and [expiation].

Truly, our streets are silent and devoid of the greeting of love and peace. Even sadder is that state of our masjids – quiet and oppressive, due to the absence of the ultimate expression of brotherhood and unity. Let us strive to revive this essential [pillar of faith]

As salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi, wa barakaatuh,

May peace of every aspect be upon you, along with the mercy of God and also His blessing

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Riyada ‘s-Salahin: Hadith 848

Further reading: [1], [2], [3]