As-Salam


 

The Peace, The Source of Peace and Safety

As-Salam

The One who is free from every imperfection.

He is the One who grants peace and security to all his creation. Allah is above and beyond all weaknesses, and infliction. He is source of peace and security for mankind. It is mankind that needs peace and security through Him. Breaking away from As-Salam brings disturbance and destruction on oneself.

Mentions From The Quran & Hadith

From the root s-l-m which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to be peaceful, quiet, tranquil, content, friendly, reconciled to be free from imperfections, free from faults, complete, whole, sound to be safe, secure, well, healthy, prosperous

He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Perfection, the Bestower of Faith, the Overseer, the Exalted in Might, the Compeller, the Superior. Exalted is Allah above whatever they associate with Him. (Quran Surah Al-Hashr 59:23)

“Whenever they kindle a fire of war, Allah extinguishes it;
and they strive to create disorder in the earth, and Allah loves not those who create disorder.” (Holy Quran Surah Al-Ma’idah – 5:65)

Practice and spreading peace yourself to increase your chance of going to Jannah:

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “You will not enter Paradise until you believe and you will not believe until you love each other. Shall I show you something that, if you did, you would love each other? Spread peace between yourselves.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 54 Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Muslim

As-Salam Details

Name:

As-Salam

As-Salam in Arabic:

السَّلامُ 

As-Salam Pronunciation:

As-Sa-Laamu

Arabic root:

(س ل م)

As-Salam meaning in English:

The Giver of Peace, The Perfect Peace, The Most Perfect, The Source of Peace, The Giver of Blessings.

As-Salam meaning in Urdu:

بے عيب ذات

Appearance in the Quran:

1 time

As-Salam Benefits:

Frequent recitation Insha’Allah helps to keep a person safe from any trouble 

Tasbeeh:

Recite to a sick person 160 times for health (insha’Allah). 

Asma ul Husna with similar meaning:

Al-Quddus (The Most Holy)

As-Salam Meaning & Definition

As-Salam is the One who grants security and peace to all creation. Allah has this Name because He is beyond every weakness, infliction, or imperfection. Since ‘Salam’ also denotes peace, this name refers to Allah as the source of security and peace for all mankind.  

Furthermore, it denotes that Allah is also pure of any similarity to His creation. He also has no defects, and nothing comes even close to resembling Him or resembling any of His Attributes. 

The word ‘Salam’ comes from the root sin-lam-mim or (س ل م). The classical Arabic connotations from these letters denote the meanings of tranquil, free of imperfections, complete, quiet, peaceful, content, sound, whole, healthy, prosperous, secure, safe, and so on. 

If we break away from Allah–by leaving prayer and not doing dhikr–we will only bring about our own destruction. Our soul will be disturbed since it will be far from true Peace. On the other hand, any person who tries to come close to Allah will experience more peace and tranquility. 

The word ‘Salam’ has come many times in the Holy Qur’an, mostly in the sense of general peace, security, or holiness. However, it has come only once as a name or Attribute of Allah. Here is the single mention of ‘As-Salam’ in the Qur'an:

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱلۡقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَٰمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُ ٱلۡمُهَيۡمِنُ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡجَبَّارُ ٱلۡمُتَكَبِّرُۚ سُبۡحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَ

English Translation:

"Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him."— (Qur'an 59:23)

With the name ‘As-Salam,’ Muslims also know that no imperfection is attached to His Greatness. In current Biblical scripture, it is said in Genesis 2:2 that God created the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th. In Islam, however, the concept of resting is not to be associated with Allah. Indeed, Allah is free from feeling tiredness, weariness, or any need for rest. Surah Qaf verse 38 says, "And We did certainly create the heavens and earth and what is between them in six days, and there touched Us no weariness." This is how As-Salam and Al-Quddus are linked; they both denote that there is no imperfection in Allah’s Qualities. 

Significance of As-Salam

As-Salam refers to the attribute of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ as the source of this peace. The word Islam also shares the same root of s-l-m, which encompasses the concept of peace, which is one of the religion's core principles.

This name also implies the idea of "soundness" or "wholesomeness," i.e., being flawless, free from blemishes. He is complete and whole. Nothing depletes Him as He is self-sufficient. It is because of this nature of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ the one who is with him can feel safety and security.

We can remember and benefit from the name ‘As-Salam’ by working towards peace in every aspect of our lives. This effort includes freeing ourselves from games of revenge, jealousy, and envy. Peace is achieved by being forgiving, loving others, and respecting them. Of course, this also includes loving ourselves and trying to become better in every way. People who are loving and kind will naturally attract peace wherever they go.

Moreover, a believer who obeys As-Salam will also be a safe place for everyone. As we can see in the Hadith narrated from Abu Hurairah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), the Prophet (ﷺ) said: The Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands other people are safe, and the believer is one from who the people’s lives and wealth are safe. (Sahih (Darussalam) Sunan an-Nasa'i 4995)

How Many Times to Read the Name

As-Salam as an Attribute of Allah comes only once in the Qur’an. However, some say that reciting it to a patient 160 times might, Insha’Allah, positively affect their health.

We may also set a routine for reciting this name regularly and frequently. We can make this part of our morning and evening adhkars. Alternatively, we may establish a tasbih of this name 100 times after a particular prayer.

Incorporating the Name into Daily Life

In our daily life as Muslims, we use the greeting ‘Assalamualaikum.’ This greeting contains the word ‘Salam’ in the sense of sending peace and blessings upon the other person. While saying salam to our family, friends, and especially children, we should remember the beauty of this greeting. 

We must also remember that Allah alone is the originator of all peace. By recognizing the name ‘As-Salam,’ we turn to Him and seek His guidance. With this remembrance, we may hope to gain eternal peace in heaven.

Naming Children After this Name

As-Salam is one of those names that are only for Allah, as they denote the completeness and greatness of this attribute. If a person wishes to have a similar name, it’s best to name the child Abdus-Salam (meaning servant of As-Salam). 

Names of Allah with the Same Meaning as As-Salam

Of all the Names of Allah, Al-Quddus has a meaning close to As-Salam. Both names are paired in the Holy Qur’an.

Al-Quddus has a similar meaning to As-Salam, as they both negate all imperfection regarding Allah. When there is no deficiency, there is perfection–and Allah is Perfect on all counts. If we want to achieve peace and perfection, we have to turn to Allah alone. 

Moreover, both these names give similar lessons to Muslims. When we ponder upon the meanings of these Attributes, we get the lesson of being peaceful and safe. There is also the reminder that Allah alone is perfect and far removed from any imperfection.

More Mentions from The Quran & Hadith about As-Salam

The Hadith tells us that the Prophet (ﷺ) affirmed the name ‘As-Salam’. This narration is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and states that when the Prophet (ﷺ) heard his Companions say ‘Salam upon Allah,’ he corrected them saying: "Allah Himself is As-Salam (Peace), and if anyone of you prays then he should say, 'All the compliments, prayers and good things are due to Allah; peace be on you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings [be on you]. Peace be on us and on the pious subjects of Allah.'" [Sahih al-Bukhari 831].

Another narration states that the Prophet (ﷺ) would make this supplication after his prayers:

أَسْـتَغْفِرُ الله (ثَلاثاً) اللّهُـمَّ أَنْـتَ السَّلامُ وَمِـنْكَ السَّلام تَبارَكْتَ يا ذا الجَـلالِ وَالإِكْـرام

English Translation:

"I seek the forgiveness of Allah (three times). O Allah, You are Peace and from You comes peace. Blessed are You, O Owner of majesty and honor." [Sahih Muslim 591]

Yet another narration by Anas (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) states that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "As-Salam (peace) is one of the Names of Allah Almighty which Allah has placed in the earth. Therefore, give the greeting among yourselves" [Hasan (Al-Albani) Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 989]

Abu Hurairah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) also reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed: You shall not enter Paradise so long as you do not affirm belief (in all those things which are the articles of faith) and you will not believe as long as you do not love one another. Should I not direct you to a thing which, if you do, will foster love amongst you: (i.e.) give currency to (the practice of paying salutation to one another by saying) as-salamu alaikum." [Sahih Muslim 54a]