GREETING WITH AS-SALAAM WHEN LEAVING OR ENTERING UPON YOUR FAMILY

All praises and thanks are due and belong to Allah Who made Islam a perfect religion which does not accept falsehood. I invoke His peace and blessings upon the final Prophet and Messenger; Muhammad, who was sent as a perfect guide and model for mankind. May Allah’s special salutations and benedictions be upon him, his family, companions and all those who follow his guidance and teachings until the Day of Judgement.

Besides the importance of maintaining a correct belief in Islam, Muslims are also encouraged to follow the ethical aspect of this great religion. Thus, Islam is a religion of belief and manners. The belief being the fundamental basis for the acceptance of one’s deeds and acts of worship. A Muslim who imbibes in his life the practical teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) finds the door to solace, blessings and bliss opened to him and he will enjoy peace of mind and comfort with regards to his earnings, family and home.

Among the teachings that form the ethical framework of Islam is to offer greetings of “As-salaam” when leaving and when entering one’s place of residence. Abu Maalik al-Ash’ari (RadiyAllahu Anhu) said: The Messenger of Allaah (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:

“When a man enters his house, let him say, ‘Allaahumma inni as’aluka khayr al-mawlaj wa khayr al-makhraj. Bismillaah walajna wa Bismillaah kharajna wa ‘ala Allaahi rabbina tawakalna’ (O Allaah, I ask You for the best entering and the best exiting. In the name of Allaah we enter and in the name of Allaah we leave, and in Allaah our Lord we put our trust),’ then he should say salaam to his family.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 225.

Yet in another tradition, the Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) instructed one of his companions; Anas Ibn Maalik (RadiyAllahu Anhu) to observe this home entering and exit ethics as narrated by At-Tirmidhi that Anas ibn Maalik (RadiyAllahu Anhu) said: The Messenger of Allaah (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said to me,

“O my son, when you enter upon your family, say salaam, it will be a blessing for you and the members of your household”

These two hadeeths show that it is mustahabb (recommended) for a man to greet his family with salaam when he enters his house.

With regard to it being mustahabb for a man to say salaam to himself when entering a house where there is no one, the scholars quoted the following evidence:

1 – The general meaning of the verse:

“But when you enter any home, greet (yourselves) one another with a greeting from Allah, blessed and good”
(An-Nuur :61)

It is mustahabb to say Bismillaah (in the name of Allaah) and to remember Allaah a great deal, and to say salaam, whether there is any human being in the house or not, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“But when you enter the houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allaah (i.e. say: As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum — peace be on you), blessed and good”
(Al-Noor 24:61)

The same ethic is highly recommended when exiting the house in addition to adding the phrase:

“Bismillaah, Tawakkaltu ala llaah, laa hawla walaa quwwata illaa billaah”

“In the name of Allah, I entrust my affairs in Allah, there is no might nor power except in Allah”.
On this phrase, Anas ibn Maalik (RadiyAllahu Anhu) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:

“Whoever says – i.e., when he is leaving his house – “Bismillaah, tawwakaltu ‘ala Allaah, laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah” (In the name of Allaah, I put my trust in Allaah, and there is no power and no strength except with Allaah),”

it will be said to him, “You are taken care of and protected,” and the Shaytaan will leave him alone.’”
[Narrated by al-Tirmidhi].

May Allah guide us and give us the strength to follow the guidance of our beloved Prophet and Messenger Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family and all companions.
Ameen!