As a new Muslim, you may have already encountered the beautiful greeting of Islam, Assalamualeikum. This greeting isn’t just a customary exchange of words; it holds profound meaning and deep-rooted history.
A Greeting with Divine Origins
When Allah created Adam, the first human, He taught him many things, including how to greet others. The very first greeting Adam extended was to a group of angels. He said, “Assalamualeikum, to which the angels responded, “Wa Aleikum Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.”
Allah instructed Adam that this greeting shall be the greeting he and his progeny use. This greeting was passed down from Adam to his progeny and remained the greeting of Islam through generations of messengers and believers, all the way to the final Messenger, Muhammad ﷺ and his followers.
Three Parts
The greeting can be as short as Assalamualeikum and as long as Assalamualeikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. At a basic level the first part is the most significant and is the starting point when learning. The more one learns and is able to implement the merrier as it increases the reward and the profound meaning.
The Profound Meanings Behind the Words
The greeting of Assalamualeikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh is more than just a way to say hello. It is a prayer, a statement, and a contract between believers. Here’s what each part means:
Assalamualeikum (May Allah the Perfect One, the One free from any imperfection, be With You): This is a prayer asking Allah, who is free from any imperfection, to protect and be with the person you are greeting. It signifies that you wish for their safety and security in both their religious and worldly life.
Wa Rahmatullahi (And Allah’s mercy and grace): You are asking for Allah’s mercy and grace to surround them, recognizing that everything we have is a result of Allah’s mercy and grace.
Wa Barakatuh (And His blessings): You are seeking abundant goodness for them, asking Allah to increase and bless them in every aspect of their life.
A Greeting with Great Virtues
This simple yet powerful greeting carries several benefits: It’s a source of reward from Allah.
It erases sins and helps us reach proper belief, mutual love to the believers which leads to Paradise, and it’s a bond of protection and trust, signifying that the person you greet is safe from any harm from you.
Applying the Greeting in Your Life
Every time you say Assalamualeikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh, remember its comprehensive meaning. Reflect on the significance of the words, believe in them, and embody them in your interactions with fellow Muslims.
May Allah allow us to fully understand and sincerely mean this greeting every time we say it, making it a source of safety and protection, mercy, grace, and blessings in our lives.
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