Friday Khutbah (09 March 2007): Spreading salaams
Friday Khutbah (09 March 2007): Spreading salaams
One of the first words that the Prophet, صلىالله عليه وسلم is reported to have said on entering Madeenah were: “O people! Spread Salaam (glad tidings/greetings of peace), feed (the poor and needy), maintain the ties of the wombs, and offer prayer when the people are normally asleep, and (thus) enter Paradise in peace.”
What is the meaning of spreading salaam? Is it merely to say the words: As-salaamu’alaykum (peace be upon you) to one another by way of greeting? Or does it have a deeper meaning?
Muslims who understand the true meaning of afshus-salaam (spreading salaam) will try and keep others secure from their sharr (evil) by thought, word and deed. That means: they will not act on the evil suggestions of their Self, by not thinking evil thoughts about others (envy/jealousy/enmity/suspicion/thoughts of a sexual nature). They will safeguard the tongue and stop themselves from speaking evil(lies/slander/gossip/backbiting/vain talk) about others. They will control their bodies and restrain themselves from physically harming others — by way of physical assault or taking an innocent life that is forbidden by Allaah; or by indulging in unlawful physical contact.
If a Muslim does all this, he is said to extend salaam to others.
People who set out to spread the opposite of salaam
There are people who deliberately (or unknowingly) set out to spread the opposite of salaam. They create discord among husbands and wives, parents and children, among extended families, neighbours and communities, among nations and the Ummah.
Their situation is like the ones mentioned in the Qur’aan: “And when it is said to them: ‘Do not cause discord/corruption on earth’, they say: ‘Rather, we are but reformers’. Unquestionably, it is they who spread discord/corruption; but they do not perceive it.” (2: 11-12)
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