The Meanings and Addresses of Salam in Prayer

Salam

Contributed by Alireza Salehi, faculty member of Islamic Azad University, Southern Tehran Branch. Translated by Mahboobeh Morshedian

Salam (Peace) is a Qur’anic term with a wide range of deep meanings and various practical aspects and manifestations. This divine word is a name of Allah, and many hadiths have been reported from the Holy Prophet and Imams regarding its meanings. In many religious texts, including prayers, ziyarahs, and social interactions, its manifestations are clearly seen.

As the best deed and act of worship and the most beautiful display of servitude to Allah, prayer has some elements, including Salam. This article first identifies and summarizes the most important meanings of Salam on the basis of authentic Arabic and Persian dictionaries. Next, on the basis of these meanings, the most significant implications will be investigated, namely, the philosophy of Salam in Prayer.

The Statement of Problem

As will be mentioned in the literal analysis of the word ‘Salam’, there are fifteen meanings for this term. On the basis of legal injunctions, Salam is an element of prayer. In this element of prayer, the praying person recites three sentences. The two first sentences are recommended, and the last one is obligatory. First, Salam is said to the Holy Prophet, then to ‘us’, and the righteous servants of Allah. In the last sentence, Salam is said to ‘you’.

The first question this article addresses is: Among the fifteen mentioned meanings of prayer, which one is congruent with the spirit of prayer and its addressees? The second question to be answered is regarding who the addressees of the second and third sentences are (‘us’ and ‘you’).

Introduction

Salam is a key Qur’anic term and has a wide range of meanings in Islamic culture. This blessed word is used as a name of Allah and also as a word of salutation among Muslims. Salam is among the elements of prayer2 and the ending part of this divine obligation. Like other elements of prayer, it enjoys profound aspects, some of which will be referred to by those who know the truth and mysteries of prayers based on hadiths by Prophet Muhammad and the Imams. No doubt the way to more reflection on this issue is open, and we have a long way to gain perfect knowledge.

As mentioned above, Salam has a wide range of meanings, most of which are materialized in the Salams mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.

The main questions about Salam in prayer include a) which of the various meanings and concepts is related to the depth of prayer more, b) which idea about the philosophy of Salam in prayer is more likely to be true and valid, and finally, c) who the addresses of Salam are in each of three sentences and which message is conveyed to them.

Benefiting from the support of Allah and using the hadiths of the Imams and valuable points about the philosophy and secrets of prayer, these questions will be answered as much as possible. In addition, a comparative study will be conducted on books of “Secrets of Prayer” (Asrar al-Salat) and other similar books.

The Meanings of Salam

In order to find out about the main meanings of the word Salam, it is necessary to examine and analyse what is mentioned about this divine word in reliable Persian and Arabic dictionaries. Then the similar redundant meanings should be omitted, and a precise conclusion should be reached about the meanings of Salam.

Accordingly, first the following data was gathered and classified: numerous points raised in such well-known dictionaries as Lisan-ul-Arab,3 Majma’-ul-Bahrain,4 Kitab-ul-‘Ayn,5 and Tahdhib-ul-Lughah,6 whatever commentators and philologists of Arabic like Tarihi,7 Zubaidi,8 ibn Qutaibah,9 Raghib,10 Jeffry,11 Suyuti,12 Khurramshahi,13 Insafpur,14 Dehkhoda,15 Reyshahri,16 Mustafa17 and many other philologists referred to about Salam in their books; mentioning all of them is beyond the constraints of this paper. Afterwards, common points were omitted, and fifteen separate meanings were obtained as follows:

1. health, being away from all scourges; healthy, and pure,
2. a name of Allah,
3. well-being, peace,
4. security and safety, being safe from each other,
5. reconciliation,
6. salutation,
7. farewell,
8. tranquility,
9. submission and surrender,
10. a word which is not futile, the strong and purposeful word,
11. the name of a tree which is immune from any pest,
12. the name of a hard stone which is secure from any kind of erosion, large, broad, and small stones,
13. asking for permission,
14. veneration and reverence,
15. a long stick resembling a tree branch.

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