GREETINGS

GREETINGS

When people meet, they are supposed to greet each other and people have come up with different ways in keeping with there cultural, social and religious norms.

A brief look on salutation and gestures will explain there significance:

1. Handshake – US and UK – represent power and formality.
2. Kisses – France, Spain, Belgium – represent love and affection.
3. Bowing- Japan- represent deep respect.
4. Namaste- India- a prayer sign before other.
5. Tongue sticking- Tibet – showing now that they are not follower of king Lang who had black tongue.

Few gestures have been discarded like kneeling and prostration before a king, lying on floor.

There are two aspects of greetings. Humbleness and power. Formal and informal. Some gestures are too formal, some are humiliating, some are authoritative. In all the cases people are reacting toward each other.

Islam has a unique balance. All the practices in Islam are arranged so as to keep Allah command in it. A Muslim recognizes  Allah and recognizes HIS creation.

Hence a Muslim is ordered to say:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَدْخُلُوا بُيُوتًا غَيْرَ بُيُوتِكُمْ حَتَّىٰ تَسْتَأْنِسُوا وَتُسَلِّمُوا عَلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ [٢٤:٢٧]

( O ye who believe! enter not houses other than your own, until ye have asked permission and saluted those in them: that is best for you, in order that ye may heed. )

This greeting is a verbal declaration of your inner belief. You ask Allah safety and mercy for people you meet. You are neither showing power or authority and neither humbling toward the person rather you turn toward Allah in all affairs.

Islam is justice. You say the same words to all – men, women, child, poor, rich, servant or ruler.

People communicate with language and this is the most powerful tool available for it. Gestures are also a form of communication.

As a Muslim you remind people of Quran verses where AsSalaam is mentioned as an Allah name and prophetic way:

وَإِذَا جَاءَكَ الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِآيَاتِنَا فَقُلْ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ

While Non muslims assume different gestures and display the various manifestation of same AsSalaam unknowingly and in ignorance.

وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا []  ٢٥:٦٣

( and when the ignorant address them, they say, “Peace!”;)

So spread Salaam, be at peace with yourself and others.Remind people of Allah safety and mercy.