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Islamic
Etiquette of Greeting - Salam... Part 1 Indeed, all praise is for Allah, Lord of the Worlds. Peace and
Blessings of Allah be upon our Messenger (SWS), his family and all
of his companions.
"Fa Zakir, Inna Zikhrah Tinf'a Lili Mu'umineen" - " Remind, because the
reminder it is useful to the believers" . Surah Adh-Dhariyat - 51: 55.
A Muslim must respond to the greetings of everyone who greets him/her,
as Allah karim commands us and says in Surah An-Nisa - 4:86: "When
you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better
than it, or (at least) return it equally. Certainly, Allah is Ever a
Careful Account Taker of all things. Today many Muslims lacking the
proper and correct understanding Islamic Etiquette of Salam.
Our Beloved Prophet (SWS) said: in Bukhari Volume 8. Abu Huraira
(May Allah be pleased with him): Allah created Adam in His Image, sixty
cubits (about 30 meters) in height. When He created him, He said (to
him): Go and greet that group of Angels sitting there, and listen
what they will say in reply to you, for that will be your greeting and
the greeting of your offspring: Adam (said): As-Salamu-Alaikum (peace
and Allah's Mercy be on you); They replied, As-Salamu-Alaikum 'Wa
Rahmatullah; So they increased Wa Rahmatullah. The Prophet (SWS) added,
So, whoever will enter Paradise, will be of the shape and picture of
Adam (i.e. stature of human beings) is being diminished continuously up
to the present time.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 8. Note and commentary By: Dr. Muhsin Khan and Dr.
Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hillai, Islamic University, Al-Madina Al-Munawwara:
His Image means that Adam has been bestowed with life, knowledge,
power of hearing, seeing, understanding, etc., but the features etc. of
Adam are different from that of Allah, only the names are the same,
e.g., Allah has life and knowledge and power of understanding, and Adam
has also that, but there is no comparison between the Creator and the
created thing. As Allah says in the Qur'an " There is nothing
like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. Surah As-Shura -
42:11), Allah also does not eat or sleep, while Adam used to eat
and sleep. For details see Fath Al-Bari, Vol.6, P. 108-9 and Vol.13,
P.238-9).
What is the point to be a Muslim, and if Islam is not practiced in its
original format, properly and correctly. If Muslim does not display
Islamic Etiquette and than there is no difference between Muslim and
Non-Muslim. No matter how much knowledge is acquired, if it is not
displayed, it is useless and pointless.
We often ask Muslim Reverts how they came to be Muslim. We speak as if
that decision was the all encompassing event that changed an individual.
What we need to remember is that choosing to be Muslim, no matter what
our background, must be done every moment of our lives. Nevertheless, I
must choose to be Muslim over and over again in every minute and every
hour of every day. I Choose to be Muslim when I get up to pray and
strive to make my Prayers properly and correctly and do my best to
follow Qur'an and Sunnah, Allah Karim says in Al-Imran verse 3: 191: Men
who remember Allah Standing, Sitting, And lying down on their sides, and
contemplating, The (wonder of) creation In the Heavens and earth. (with
the saying): Our Lord for naught hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to
Thee! Give us
Salvation from the Chastisement of the Fire. 3:191.
I choose to be Muslim when I greet you in the way of the Prophet of
Allah (SWS). Prophet of Allah said in Bukhari: Whoever acquires the
following three qualities will acquire faith:
1. To treat others as one likes to be treated.
2. To greet everybody (known and unknown)
3. To spend (give charitable gifts) in Allah's cause in spite of
poverty.
Bukhari Vol. 1.
Ther are many Verses found in the Qur'an and Hadith, Bukhari's Morals
and Manners and as well a great Book called Minhaj-ul-Muslim - The Way
of the Muslim, and Islamic Etiquette is part of this Book, by: Shaikh
Abu Bakar Al-Jazairi, the Orator of Prophet (SWS) Mosque, Al-Madina Al-Munawwara.
it is extremely important to display Islamic Etiquette,
everything will be accounted on The Day of Judgement and all of your
goods will be deducted accordingly, Prophet (SWS) said in
authentic Hadith with respect to this matter and indicated about
Bankrupt, not the same Monetary Bankrupt as we see in this world.
"The Messenger (SWS) said: "The rights of a Muslim upon his fellow
Muslim are: that he answers his salutation, or Salaam, when he is
saluted, he visits him when he is sick, he follows his funeral when he
dies, he accepts his invitation (to food) when he invites him, and he
says the relevant corresponding supplications when he sneezes. Sahih
Bukhari and Sahih Muslim."
Remember, the greeting of brothers and sisters in Islam helps us to
establish the bonds of brotherhood. It is an acknowledge of our
commitment to Allah (SWT). Every person is to be greeted with a smile
and peace. I choose to be Muslim when I avoid suspicion and when I
forgive and overlook the shortcomings in my brothers/sisters, do not
condemn myself for my own but rather seek guidance and mercy from Allah
karim, Allah Karim says in Al-Hujurat - 49:12: O ye who believe!
Avoid suspicion as much (as possible); for suspicion In some cases is a
sin: And spy not each other, Nor speak ill of each other behind
their backs, Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead Brother?
Nay, ye would Abhor it.. But fear Allah for Allah is Returning, Most
Merciful. Prophet (SWS) said: Narrated Abu
Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger said: Beware
of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales, and do not look
for the other's faults, and do not do spying on one another, and do not
practice Najsh and do not be jealous of one another and do not hate one
another, do not desert (stop talking) one another. And O, Allah's
worshippers! Be brothers! Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol.8.
And whatsoever the Messenger (Prophet Muhammad (SWS)) gives you, take
it, and and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), and fear
Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment.
tasirul@yahoo.com
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