Source:
An-Nahjul-Asmaa fii Sharh Asma’ullahil-Husna, by Shaikh Muhammad al-Humoud al-Najdi.
As-Salaam is the One Who is free from any defects or shortcomings that lessen or decrease His perfect Attributes and Actions. [Tafsir Ibn Kathir 4/343]
The Impact of Belief in this Name:
1- Allah, As-Salaam, is far removed from all defects and shortcomings. This Name is close in meaning to Al-Quddoos.
2- Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) called Jannah (Paradise) Dar-us-Salaam, the Home of Peace, because it is free from death, sicknesses, and any other plights. Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat al-An’aam (6:127):
لَهُم دارُ السَّلامِ عِندَ رَبِّهِم
“For them will be the Home of Peace (Paradise) with their Lord.”
Also Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat Yunus (10:25):
واللهُ يَدعُوا إِلى دَارِ السَّلام
“Allah calls to the Home of Peace (i.e. Paradise).”
3- Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) sends Salaam (peace and blessings) upon His righteous slaves and His Awliyaa’ when they enter Paradise. He (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat Yasin (36:58):
سَلامٌ قَوْلاً من رَّبٍّ رَّحِيم
“(It will be said to them): ‘Salaam’ (peace be on you), a Word from the Lord (Allah), the Most Merciful.”
4- Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) also sends Salaam (peace and blessings) upon His Messengers and Prophets, for their belief, their performance of good deeds, their obedience and forbearing all the difficulties in Allah’s Cause. Therefore, Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) will secure them (from the greatest terror) on the Day of Judgement, such that they will not fear nor grieve. Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat as-Saffat:
سَلامٌ عَلى نُوحٍ في العالَمين
“Salaam (peace) be upon Noah (from Us) among the Alamin (Mankind and jinns).” (37:79)
سَلامٌ عَلى ابْرَاهيم
“Salaam (peace) be upon Abraham.” (37:109)
سَلامٌ عَلى موسى وهارون
“Salaam (peace) be upon Moses and Aaron!” (37:120)
Also Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat an-Naml (27:59):
قُلِ الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وسلامٌ عَلى عِبَادِهِ الَّذيِن اصْطَفى
“Say (O Muhammad Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam ): ‘Praise and thanks be to Allah, and peace be on His slaves whom He has chosen (for His Message)!’”
Al-Khattabi (Rahimahullaah) reported in “Sha’n ad-Du’aa” that Sufyan bin ‘Uyayna said: “The most dreary states for man are: first, the time of his birth, when he sees himself coming out from where he was. Second, the day of his death, when he sees people whom he has never known (met) before. Third, the day of his resurrection, when he sees himself in a great gathering. Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) honoured Prophet Yahya (‘Alayhis-salaam) with peace in these three positions when He (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) said in Surat Maryam:
وسلامٌ عَليهِ يَوْمَ وُلِدَ ويَوْمَ يَمُوتُ ويَوْمَ يُبْعَثُ حَيًّا
“And Salaam (peace) be on him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he will be raised up to life (again).” (19:15)
5- The Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) commanded us to spread the Salaam (greetings with peace) among the Muslims. Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “You will not enter Jannah (Paradise) until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I direct you to a thing which if you do it, you will love one another? Spread the Salaam (greeting) between yourselves.” [Reported by Muslim]
Imam an-Nawawi (Rahimahullaah) said: “This Hadith emphasizes the importance of spreading Salaam (greeting) among Muslims regardless of acquaintance.” He (Rahimahullaah) added: “And the Salaam (greeting) is the first means for uniting the hearts of Muslims and causing affection among them, besides showing this significant symbol which differs the Muslims from other nations. In addition, it helps one to humble himself to others and magnify the sacredness of Muslims.” [Explanation of Muslim by an-Nawawi]
6 – It is not allowed to send Salaam upon Allah. Abdullah bin Masud (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “Whenever we offered Salat (prayer) behind the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) , we used to recite (while sitting), ‘As-Salaam (peace) be on Allah, peace be on Jibrael (Gabriel), Mikael (Michael), peace be on so-and-so.’ Once Allah’s Messenger (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) looked back at us and said, ‘Allah Himself is As-Salaam (Peace), and if anyone of you prays then he should say, At-Tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-Tayyibatu. As-Salaamu alaika aiyuhan-Nabyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu. As-Salaamu ‘alaina wa ‘ala ibadillahis-salihiin (all the compliments, prayers and good things are due to Allah (Subhanaahu wa Ta’ala) ; peace be on you, O Prophet and Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be on you. Peace be on us and on the true pious slaves of Allah). If you say that, it will be for all the slaves in the heaven and the earth. Ash-hadu an laa ilaha illa Allah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasuluhu. (I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and I also testify that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger).” [Reported by al-Bukhari]
The Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) forbade the Companions to send Salaam upon Allah and showed them that it should be contrary to what they said, because Allah is the Owner and Bestower of Salaam (peace) and Mercy.” [Al-Fat-h 2/312]
Al-Khattabi (Rahimahullaah) said: “Allah is the Owner of Salaam, so don’t say as-Salaam upon Allah, because Salaam is from Him and to Him it returns.” [Al-Fat-h 2/312]
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