Abdullah meets Zainab on the playground during break at school. The following conversation ensued: Abdullah: "As salaam alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatu. " Zainab did not understand and asked;
Zainab: "What are you saying Abdullah?"
Abdullah: "I am greeting you in the best way .. I said; "May the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon you."
Zainab: "Good! But what do I say in reply?"
Abdullah: You should say; "wa alaykumu salaam warahmatullah wa barakatuhu" And that means, May the peace and blessings of Allaah be on you too.
Zainab: (replied with joy) "Wow! That is so nice! No wonder it is the best way of greeting."
Abdullah: "This greeting is to be exchanged between Muslims alone."
Zainab: "Why is that?" (Zainab wondered)
Abdullah: "Because only the believers deserve the best and it should not be given to the non Muslims. Also it is a prayer that is special for the Muslims only."
Zainab: "Thats the way I will greet Muslims from now on" Then she asked; " Is there anything else about the Salaam, like some rewards from Allaah?"
Abdullah: "Sure there is! The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said when you say As salaam alaykum, 10 rewards will be given to you; when you include wa rahmatullah, there are another 10 rewards andif you say As salaam alaykum wa rahmatullah wa harakatuhu, then there are yet another 10. Therefore altogether you get 30 rewards for saying the full salaam. Great isnt it?"
Zainab: "From now onwards I too will be saying the salaam to fellow Muslims." (She replied eagerly) What about , you Wont you give it a try?
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited