This chapter teaches the actual words of the greeting and how the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave it. The full form is As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh, peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah, and His blessings, and notice that each added phrase carries its own reward. The greeting is not a casual formula but a small act of worship: a prayer of peace, mercy, and blessing placed upon another believer.
Watch across these hadith how the Prophet shaped the manner as well as the words. He greeted clearly and even repeated himself so he was understood, he greeted softly at night so as not to wake the sleeping, and he corrected wording that did not belong to the living. The lesson is that intention and care, not just the syllables, are what make the salam complete.
Hadith 850
'Imran bin Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
عن عمران بن الحصين رضي الله عنهما قال: جاء رجل إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: السلام عليكم، فرد عليه ثم جلس، فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: “عشر” ثم جاء آخر، فقال: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله، فرد عليه فجلس، فقال: "عشرون" ثم جاء آخر، فقال: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته، فرد عليه فجلس، فقال: “ثلاثون” ((رواه أبو داود والترمذي وقال: حديث حسن)).
A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: "As-Salamu 'Alaikum (May peace be upon you). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Ten (meaning the man had earned the merit of ten good deeds)." Another one came and said: "As-Salamu 'Alaikum wa Rahmatullah (May peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah)." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Twenty." A third one came and said: "As-Salamu 'Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu (May peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings)." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Thirty." [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan].
In plain words
Three men greeted with longer forms of salam and the Prophet counted ten, twenty, then thirty rewards. Adding mercy and blessings to the greeting increases its reward.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 850 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 7
Hadith 851
'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنه قالت: قال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “هذا جبريل يقرأ عليك السلام" قالت: قلت: "وعليه السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته" ((متفق عليه)) وهكذا وقع في بعض روايات الصحيحين: "وبركاته" وفي بعضها بحذفها وزيادة الثقة مقبولة
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, "This is Jibril (Gabriel) who is conveying you greetings of peace." I responded: "Wa 'Alaihis-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu (May peace be upon him and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings)." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet told Aishah that Jibril was sending her greetings of peace, and she returned the greeting with mercy and blessings upon him. It shows how to graciously answer a conveyed greeting.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 851 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 8
Hadith 852
وعن أنس رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، كان إذا تكلم بكلمة أعادها ثلاثًا حتى تفهم عنه، وإذا أتى على قوم فسلم عليهم سلم عليهم ثلاثًا. ((رواه البخاري)) وهذا محمول على ما إذا كان الجمع كثيرًا.
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported the Prophet (ﷺ) used to repeat his words thrice so that the meaning thereof would be fully understood, and whenever he came upon a gathering of people, he would greet them. He would repeat Salam thrice. [Al- Bukhari].
In plain words
The Prophet would repeat his words three times so they were clearly understood, and he would greet a gathering when he came upon it. Clarity and care in greeting matter as much as the words.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 852 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 9
Hadith 853
Al-Miqdad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported in a long Hadith:
وعن المقداد رضي الله عنه في حديثه الطويل قال: كنا نرفع للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم نصيبه من اللبن، فيجيء من الليل، فيسلم تسليمًا لا يوقظ نائمًا، ويسمع اليقظان، فجاء النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فسلم كما كان يُسلم. ((رواه مسلم)).
We used to reserve for the Prophet (ﷺ) his share of the milk, and he would come at night and offer greetings in such a manner as did not disturb those asleep and was heard only by those who were awake. In fact, the Prophet (ﷺ) came and offered greetings as usual. [Muslim].
In plain words
Coming at night, the Prophet greeted in a way soft enough not to wake the sleeping yet heard by those awake. A model of giving salam with consideration for others' rest.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 853 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 10
Hadith 854
Asma' bint Yazid (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
وعن أسماء بنت يزيد رضي الله عنه عنها أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، مر في المسجد يومًا، وعصبة من النساء قعود، فألوى بيده بالتسليم. ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن))
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) passed through the mosque one day and there was a group of women (about ten of them) sitting in the mosque. He raised his hand to offer greetings. [At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hasan].
In plain words
Passing a group of women in the mosque, the Prophet raised his hand to offer them greetings. It shows the greeting extended warmly and appropriately.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 854 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 11
Hadith 855
Narrated Abu Umamah:
وعن أبي أمامة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "إن أولى الناس بالله من بدأهم بالسلام" ((رواه أبو داود بإسناد جيد، ورواه الترمذي بنحوه وقال: حديث حسن، وقد ذكر بعده)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Those who are nearest to Allah are they who are first to give a salutation. [Abu Dawud] And At- Tirmidhi narrated its meaning and classified it as Hasan.
In plain words
The people nearest to Allah are those who are first to give the greeting of peace. Racing to greet others is a sign of nearness to Allah.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 855 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 12
Hadith 856
Abu Juraiy Al-Hujaimi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي جري الهجيمي رضي الله عنه قال: أتيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقلت: عليك السلام يا رسول الله قال: "لا تقل عليك السلام؛ فإن عليك السلام تحية الموتى" . ((رواه أبو داود، والترمذي وقال: حديث حسن صحيح. وقد سبق بطوله)).
I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: "Alaikas-Salamu ya Rasulallah! (Upon you be peace, O Messenger of Allah)!" He said, "Do not say: 'Alaikas-Salamu (Upon you be peace).' This is the Salam to the dead." [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi, who classified the hadith as Hasan Sahih].
In plain words
The Prophet corrected a man for saying "upon you be peace," noting that wording belongs to greeting the dead. It teaches using the proper form, As-Salamu Alaikum, for the living.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 856 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 13