Ya-Salam

Meaning

As-Salam means the Source of Peace and Safety: the One who is eternally safe from every defect, and who gives safety and peace to His creatures.

Understanding the Name

The root s-l-m means peace, soundness and safety; the words Islam and Muslim come from the same root. Paradise is called Dar as-Salam, the Home of Peace (Yunus 10:25), and its people will be greeted with “Salam”. After every obligatory prayer the Prophet ﷺ would say: Allahumma antas-Salam wa minkas-salam, “O Allah, You are Peace, and from You comes peace.”

Whenever a believer greets another with As-salamu alaykum, he is in fact calling upon this Name of Allah for his brother. A heart that knows As-Salam finds calm in difficulty, and spreads peace rather than harm wherever it goes.

Effects and reflections

Believers use this blessed Name when they greet one another, and both of them receive its benefit. No one can fully explain the word Salam; we can only say that it means “may safety be upon you”.

When we say Salam to a sick person, it carries the prayer “may you soon be healthy”. When we say it to a poor person, it means “may Allah make you rich”. And when we say it to a troubled person, it means “may Allah grant you peace and security”.