Note: an article written by self which came out in aL.I.V.E. E-News http://alive.sg/alive-news.html

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Masud: We used to say the greeting, name and greet each other in the prayer. Allah’s Apostle heard it and said:–

“Say, ‘At-tahiyyatu lil-lahi was-salawatu wat-taiyibatu . Assalamu ‘Alaika aiyuha-n-Nabiyu wa-rahmatu-l-lahi wa-barakatuhu. _ Assalamu alaina wa-‘ala ‘ibadi-l-lahi as-salihin.. Ashhadu an la ilaha illa-l-lah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abdu hu wa Rasuluh.

(All the compliments are for Allah and all the prayers and all the good things (are for Allah). Peace be on you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings (are on you). And peace be on us and on the good (pious) worshipers of Allah. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Apostle.) So, when you have said this, then you have surely sent the greetings to every good (pious) worship per of Allah, whether he be in the Heaven or on the Earth”. (Sahih Bukhari, Book #22, Hadith #294)

The beautiful unique greeting Muslims have, regardless of their race or language, saying the salam is an instant identity, the first greeting which, with immediate effect, will connect Muslims around the globe. Don’t you agree? It is also an expression of love, and care towards our fellow Muslims, praying for peace for one another. However, is saying salam becoming a ‘forced’ habit, something we say out of obligation? Do we greet one another with a real sense of love towards our fellow Muslims?

Good habits start from home they say, thus, the habit of giving salam can be internalized right from home sweet home.

In Kids aL.I.V.E., one of the first good habits introduced to them is the habit of giving salam. Apart from it as a social greeting, what is more interesting is, the children are taught to say their salam as a form of expression for love!

How many times have we given salam among the members of the family? Other than giving the salam while entering the house, are there occurrences in the house when parents and children give their salam?

Hmm… “Good morning, dear!” “Good night Mom, Good night Dad!” “Hello bro, what are you doing?”
Sound familiar? These are greetings we seem to have adopted in our daily life. Let’s substitute them by them the salam.

“Assalamualaikum, dear!”
“Good night Mom, Dad, Assalamualaikum!”
“Assalamualaikum little brother, what are you doing?”

Saying peace to one another, as an expression of love tightens the family bond. A small gesture can change the world.

Parents and children, let’s once in awhile, give salam to one another, better still, make it a family habit! Believe me, home will be a very sweet home, full of love and care….and prayers for peace everyday!
Masya Allah!