Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Indeed, ‘As-Salām’ is one of the names of Allah Almighty which Allah has put on earth. So, spread the greeting of peace among yourselves.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad; Sahīh (authentic)]
The believer should continue to ask Allah Almighty for safety in this world and in the Hereafter. Safety in worldly life is of two types: outward and inward.
Outward safety is good health and being free from ills and all unpleasant conditions.
Inward safety is religious soundness and freedom from disbelief, religious innovations, and disobedience to Allah.
That thing which the believer seeks is the firmest bond of faith. If he attains it, he will win himself a sound heart and will enter the abode of peace, i.e. Paradise.
Everyone seeks peace, and Allah is the Source of Peace, Blessed and Exalted.
Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: “Many have memorized this name but are unaware of such secrets and meanings contained therein.”
Allah Almighty says: {He is Allah, there is no god except Him, the King, the Most Holy, the Source of Peace, the Giver of Belief (Security), the All-Controller...} [Surat al-Hashr: 23]
Our Lord, the Source of Peace, is the One free from any deficiency or defect, for He is perfect in His essence, attributes, and actions.
In Arabic, “salāmah” means innocence or well-being.
Allah Almighty is the Source of Peace and the One free from
any defect and He is exalted above any similarity to His creation.
In fact, our Lord is worthier of this name than anyone else.
This name is reflected in the attributes of Allah Almighty, for His life is free from death, slumber, and sleep. He is the All-Sustainer and the All-Powerful Lord Who undergoes no fatigue or exhaustion.
“As-Salām” is reflected in His knowledge as well, for He is free from missing or forgetting anything and free from the need to remember or give thought. {...And not absent from your Lord is any [part] of an atom’s weight within the earth or within the heaven or [anything] smaller than that or greater but that it is in a clear register.} [Surat Yūnus: 61] {...And never is your Lord forgetful.} [Surat Maryam: 64]
His words are free from lying and injustice. Indeed, they are all truthful and just. {And the word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice...} [Surat al-An‘ām: 115]
His self-sufficiency is free from any need in any way. Rather, everyone and everything are in need of Him. Yet, He needs nothing.
His dominion is free from any disputant, partner, assistant, or supporter.
His forbearance, pardon, and forgiveness are free from being rooted in some sort of need, humiliation, or pretense on His part - as some created beings do.
Even His punishment and revenge are free from injustice, gloating, and undue severity or cruelty. Rather, they entirely stem from His wisdom and justice. {...And your Lord is not ever unjust to [His] servants.} [Surat Fussilat: 46]
His decree and predestination are free from frivolity and injustice.
His Shariah and religion are free from inconsistencies, contradictions, and flaws. {Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an? If it had been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 82]
His establishment above the Throne is free from need for any to carry it. Rather, it is the Throne that needs Him, and so do those who carry it. Indeed, He is in no need for the Throne or its carriers, or anyone else.
His hearing and sight are free from anything imagined by those who liken Him to His creation or claimed by those who deny any of His attributes.
Even His love for His pious servants is free from the casual things that arise in love between created beings, given that it stems from need, flattery, or benefiting.
Allah Almighty gave the greeting of peace to His prophets and messengers for their faith and piety and to encourage people to take them as examples. Thus, none should speak badly of them. {And peace upon the messengers.} [Surat as-Sāffāt: 181] Then, Allah Almighty honored Yahya (John) (peace be upon him) by singling him out with peace in a number of situations, which are said to be the loneliest for people: the day he was born, when he saw himself leaving where he had been; the day he dies, when he would see those whom he has never seen before; and the day he will be resurrected, when he will see the tremendous gathering. {And peace be on him the day he was born, and the day he dies, and the day he will be raised alive.} [Surat Maryam: 15]
Those who follow the guidance of Allah Almighty will be safe from His wrath and punishment. This is the meaning of the verse that says: {...And peace be upon he who follows the guidance.} [Surat Taha: 47]
Paradise is the abode of peace: {They will have the abode of peace with their Lord...} [Surat al-An‘ām: 127]
Allah Almighty will greet His servants in Paradise: {“Peace,” a word from a Most Merciful Lord.} [Surat Yasīn: 58]
Moreover, the angels greet and reassure His righteous servants upon taking their souls: {Those whose lives the angels take while they are good and pure, saying: “Peace be upon you! Enter Paradise for what you used to do.”} [Surat an-Nahl: 32]
We can worship Allah Almighty through His name “As-Salām” by purifying our hearts and tongues from any spite or offense against Muslims. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe, and the immigrant is the one who abandons what Allah has forbidden.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
We should not merely stop at this level in terms of refraining from harming others. Rather, we should also fulfill the duty related to this great name. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Indeed, ‘As-Salām’ is one of the names of Allah Almighty which Allah has put on earth. So, spread the greeting of peace among yourselves.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad; Sahīh (authentic)]
One of the merits of this greeting - “As-salāmu ‘alaykum” (peace be upon you) - is that it leads to the abode of peace, i.e. Paradise. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) is authentically reported to have said: “You will not enter Paradise until you believe and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I tell you of something which, if you do, will make you love one another? Spread the greeting of peace among yourselves.” [Narrated by Muslim]
We should not say: Peace be upon Allah!
Indeed, peace comes from Allah and belongs to Him. When the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) heard the Companions say: “Peace be upon Allah”, he said: “Indeed, Allah is the Source of Peace. You should rather say: ‘At-tahiyyātu lillāhi wa as-salawātu wa at-tayyibātu, as-salāmu ‘alayka ayyuha an-nabiyyu wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuh, as-salāmu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibādillāhi as-sālihīn,
ash-hadu alla ilāha illallāh wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasūluh (All greetings, prayers, and good things are due to Allah. Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you, O Prophet; and peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah.I testify that there is no god except Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger).’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
Another narration adds: “If you say this, it will benefit every righteous servant of Allah in the heaven and on earth.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
O Allah, You are the Source of Peace and from You comes all peace. Blessed are You, O Owner of Majesty and Honor.
O Allah, grant us safety in our religion, which is the firm bond of protection; grant us safety in our worldly life in which we subsist; and grant us safety in our life in the Hereafter, which we are promised; and admit us into the abode of peace; indeed, You are competent over all things.