In verse 86 of this Surah, it is stated: 'And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner]. Indeed Allah is ever, over all things, an Accountant.'

Salaam was not something that I had thought about too deeply before learning about this verse. Growing up in a Muslim household it was just a generalized greeting. However, upon learning about the importance of greeting someone in the same way or better and finally understanding the significance of it (how it is wajib upon us to respond to a salaam), an action that I have recently made sure to implement is being more sincere with my salaams, trying to understand what I’m truly saying rather than it just being something that rolls off the tongue because of a habit without me really analyzing or thinking about what I’m actually saying and understanding the beauty of the words. Spreading Salaam increases us in our imaan and increases us in love for each other; it is a path leading to Jannah. How beautiful it is that for just saying Asalamualaikum wrwb to someone we get 30 good deeds (al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr 5563). Subhanallah.

Reflection by Sarah Ali