The Chishti Nizami Habibi Soofie
Sufi Order
Pietermaritzburg
Kwa Zulu Natal
South Africa
The Holy Prophet (Salla' Llaahu'alaihi Wa Sallam)'s Reply To Our Salaam
During the time of the Holy Prophet (salla' llaahu'alaihi wa sallam) houses were very simple, made of dried mud. Most houses did not have doors but an open entrance. Some people would hang curtains for privacy but most could not afford them.
Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) taught his Sahaba (Radiallahu anhu ajmain), and gave us an important lesson, to respect the privacy of others. He told them, "Do not look inside the house of another person. Do not enter a house without permission. "
When he visited the house of a Sahaabi, he stood to one side of the entrance, keeping his eyes away so as not to look inside. He then said, "As-salamu 'alaikum." In this way, he sent Allah's blessings on the family. Also, his salaam informed them of his coming.
If the family said, "Wa "alaikum as-salaam" and asked his name, he would answer with his name. He would then be invited inside the house.
Once, he visited the house of his Sahaabi Saa'd ibn 'Ubaydah (Radiallahu anhu). As usual, he stood at one side of the entryway and said, "'as-salamu 'alaikum."
Saa'd (Radiallahu anhu) and his young son, whom was inside the house, heard Rasulullah's salaam. Saa'd (Radiallahu anhu) answered very quietly, "Wa 'alaikum as-salaam. " He said it so quietly that no one else heard him.
Saad's young son was very excited to see Rasulullah (Salla'llahu'alaihi wa sallam) come to his house and was surprised to see his father's silence. Impatiently, he asked his father, "Don't you want Rasulullah (Salla'llahu'alaihi wa sallam) to visit us? "
Saad (Radiallahu anhu) hushed his son, "Be quiet. You see, when Rasulullah (Salla'llahu'alaihi wa sallam) sends his salaam on us we receive Barakah (blessings) from Allah. I want him to do it repeatedly to receive this Barakah."
Rasulullah (Salla'llahu'alaihi wa sallam) waited for a while and once again he said, "as salamu 'alaikum."
Both Saad (Radiallahu anhu) and his son quietly replied, " Wa "alaikum as-salaam.
Rasulullah (Salla'llahu'alaihi wa sallam) did not hear the reply. He waited for a short while. Once again he said, even louder, "As-salamu 'alaikum."
Once again Saad (Radiallahu anhu) and his son answered him quietly, "wa 'alaikum as-salaam Ya Rasulullah. "Rasulullah (Salla'llahu'alaihi wa sallam) waited for some time and decided to leave.
Saad (Radiallahu anhu) and his son saw Rasulullah (Salla'llahu'alaihi wa sallam) leaving. They both ran after him saying, "Wa 'alaikum as-salaam, Ya Rasulullah. You are most welcome, Ya Rasulullah!"
Saad (Radiallahu anhu) told Rasulullah (Salla'llahu'alaihi wa sallam) that he had heard him and saw him at the door. He then explained that he wanted Rasulullah (Salla'llahu'alaihi wa sallam) to greet them repeatedly so that an abundance of Barakah and peace may descend on their household.
Rasulullah (Salla'llahu'alaihi wa sallam) smiled at the love shown by his sahaabi. They knew that it is Barakah, to send and receive salaam from Allah's Messenger (Salla'llahu'alaihi wa sallam). May we also continually send salaam on him. Insha Allah the reply will most surely come.
Rasulullah (Salla'llahu'alaihi wa sallam) hugged Saad's young son and stepped with his blessed foot into their home.