31/01/2019
*The Islamic greeting isn't like these*
*Slm, Aslm, AA, AS WW*
The Islamic greeting is *"As-salaamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmathullahi Wa Barakathuhu…"*
The least people could say is *As-Salaamu Alaykum*
But unfortunately many of the people nowadays use abbreviations like Slm, Aslm, Salam or even AA
Writing it abbreviated consists of many prohibitions some of them are as follows:
It is an innovation; when the Prophet ﷺ wrote a letter to Heraclius, he wrote: "As-salaamu 'Alaa manittaba' al-Huda" (peace be upon those who follow the Guidance)." The Prophet ﷺ did not write the abbreviations. The Prophet ﷺ said: *_“Whoever innovates anything in this matter of ours that is not part of it, will have it rejected.”_*
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The wording according to another narration is, “Whoever does any action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours (i.e., Sunnah), will have it rejected.”
Using any abbreviation, such as; "Slm, Aslm, Salam, AA" leads to the desertion of the expression that is legislated in Islam.
One does not get the reward that he would get had he used the actual words of greeting. A Muslim has to search for what is better as far as the matter of reward is concerned.
*-* A man came to the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ and said, _*"As-Salaam ‘Alaykum"*_ and sat.
The Prophet ﷺ said, *“He will have ten rewards.”*
*-* Another man came and said, _*“As-Salaam 'Alaykum wa rahmatullaah”*_ and sat. The Prophet ﷺ said, *“He will have twenty rewards.”*
*-* Then another man came and said, _*“As-Salaam ‘Alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu”*_, and sat there. The Prophet ﷺ said, *“He will have thirty rewards.”*
[Reported by Imam Ahmad, al-Nisaa’i in Aml al-yawm wa’l-laylah (368) and al-Bukhaari in al-Adab al-Mufrad (586) and by Ibn Hibban (493)]
The narration proves that the more the words of greeting are complete and perfect the higher and greater is the reward.
Actually by greeting, one is supplicating for the person whom he meets. This purpose could not be achieved by the use of abbreviations; perhaps the greeted person may not pay any attention to such words, etc.
Muslim scholars dislike using abbreviations in place of the words of invoking blessing on the Prophet ﷺ The matter of greeting is also like the invocation of the blessings on the Prophet ﷺ.
Qur'aanic style and Islamic teachings reject using the abbreviation "Slm" or "Aslm". *So, it should be avoided.*
The sunnah of giving salam is to write *“Assalamu alaikum”* in full. Abbreviating the salam will not render the sunnah to be fulfilled.
Replying to salam is _obligatory_ upon a Muslim but if someone gave the salam in the abbreviated way, *it is not obligatory to reply to the salam.*
So brothers and sisters please make an effort and spare a few seconds to type the Salam properly and earn rewards In'Sha'Allah..
May Allah Grant us a deeper understanding.
