Al-Salam

Surah Al-A’raf 7:180

﴾وَللَّهِ الأَسْمَآءُ الْحُسْنَى فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا وَذَرُواْ الَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِى أَسْمَائِهِ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿

(180. And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do.)

About the Meaning
On one occasion in the Quran [Surah al-Hashr:23], Allah introduces Himself as As-Salaam, the Perfection and Giver (or Bestower, or Source) of peace.
Linguistically, salaam can mean “immunity”, to be free of something. Another opinion is that it implies wellbeing – to be safe and good.

What Does it Mean that Allah is As-Salaam?
Ibn Kathir rahimahullaah explains: As-Salaam is the One who is free from all imperfections and deficiencies, because of the Perfection of His Being, of His Attributes, and His Actions. He is So Perfect, He does not have any imperfections. He is free from death, free from forgetfulness, etc. His Actions are perfect, whatever He does there is wisdom (hikmah) behind it. That is why The Perfection is one of the translations of this Beautiful Name.

Examples of Salaam
The root seen, laam, meem – also makes Saleem, for example, qalbun saleem, a sound heart, which is unblemished. Islam is also made up from this root, the state of submission. So ask As-Salaam to make Islam your safe harbor and to bring peace to your heart.

Paradise is called Daar us Salaam [Quran 10:25)] because it is free of all pain, death, worries, etc., and it is a place of safety. Allah will give salaam to the people who get Jannah.

Also the greeting of assalaamu alaykum we use in this world really means: you are safe from me; you will not receive any evil from me.

How Can You Live By This Name?
1. If you want the salaam, the security, and the protection of Allah don’t wrong yourself, don’t wrong others, and don’t wrong Allah As-Salaam. Allah is As-Salaam, which means He cannot be unjust. We wrong ourselves.

2. Make yourself Saleem for Allah and get Allah’s salaam. Work on yourself and try to commit yourself and your intentions purely to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala so you will receive Allah’s salaam in Jannah.

3. Submit to Allah so you can be secure. If you submit (to Islam) you will get Allah’s salaam. When the Prophet salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam did dawah, he said: Idha sallamta nafsaka lillah, salimta— “When you submit yourself to Allah, you will be safe.” Believing is to follow the guidance and do the actions!

4. Be patient in trials and Allah will give you peace inside. Your heart will have salaam, a feeling of well-being, serenity, and peace.

5. Say salaam upon the Prophet, upon righteous people, and to each other, but never say salaam upon Allah, because He is As-Salaam! He does not need security and safety, because He is Salaam and Perfect.

6. When you are very worried, make dua’ by this name. You can say, Allahumma antas Salaam (O Allah, You are As-Salaam), save me from this.

Homework: Use This Name of Allah After Your Salah
It is from the Sunnah to use this name of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala after your prayer. When you finish your Salah, supplicate: Astaghfirullah (3 times). Allahumma antas salaam wa minkas salaam, tabaarakta yaa Dhal Jalaali wal Ikraam. (“I seek Allah’s Forgiveness. O Allah, You are As-Salaam, and from You is all peace. Blessed are You, O Possessor of majesty and honor.”)

What a gem; straight after our prayer, we ask for protection and safety from the mistakes committed during the Salah!

Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.

O Allah, As-Salaam, keep us safe from worries and distress— give us all hearts that are saleem, and may we be of those who receive Your Salaam in Jannah, Ameen!