ANSWERED: Replying to salams online?

[Mossy]

You know.. I've always had something against salaams.. It sounds odd.. Like "peaces be upon you". Ahem.

Another interesting thing is that when we address a number of people, saying salam is wajib if there are muslims amongst them, right? Even if some reading/hearing it are non-muslim.

Therefore, wouldn't it be wajib from this position to proffer these when initiating a discussion/making a first contribution to a discussion?

But once engaged in the discussion at hand..

[eat-halal guy]

Another interesting thing is that when we address a number of people, saying salam is wajib if there are muslims amongst them, right? Even if some reading/hearing it are non-muslim.

Therefore, wouldn't it be wajib from this position to proffer these when initiating a discussion/making a first contribution to a discussion?

But once engaged in the discussion at hand..

SunniPath:

“If a group consists of Muslims, Idolaters and Jews, one should greet them (with Salam), as mentioned in the Hadith recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim from Usama ibn Zaid. However, the intention should be to say Salam to the Muslims (of that group) so that it does not entail commencing to greet non-Muslims” (See: Ahkam al-Quran by al-Tahanawi, 2/306).

If a group consists of Muslims and non-Muslims, then it is permissible to greet them with the Islamic greeting. However, the intention should be to greet the Muslims only.

http://www.sunnipath.com/resources/Q...a00002193.aspx


The latter quote says that "...it is permissible...", so I'm not sure if it would be wajib to do so. But then the former quote says "should", so I don't know.


I guess it all depends on how one sees a dicussion thread on a board. If it's considered to be a majlis (gathering), then one should say salam the first time, and it would be better to say salam at the beginning of subsequesnt postings.

However, if a discussion thread is considered to be a conversation, then there is no need to repeat the salam after saying the initial salam when one joins the conversation.

Again, I'm not a mufti, so don't take my word for it. Thinking about it though, I think it makes more sense to consider the entire forum to be a gathering, and each discussion to be a conversation.



Allah knows best.

[eat-halal guy]

The latter quote says that "...it is permissible...", so I'm not sure if it would be wajib to do so. But then the former quote says "should", so I don't know.

(After consulting with eTeacher)

Giving salam is sunnah, and replying to it is wajib. The quote states "should" instead of "must", so it shouldn't imply wujoob (being wajib). Also, the "should" is used as a statement of proper etiquette.

Allah knows best.

[Zain121]

As Salaamu Alaykum.

Brother ibn Rashid, Mufti Muhammad Sahib teaches at Jame'ah Uloomul Qur'an. Which is under the Patronage of Hadhrat Sheikh Maulana Adam Sahib.

The Darul Uloom is located in the Highfield/North Evington Area (Baggrave Street).

Wa Alaykum As Salaam.

[Zain121]

As Salaamu Alaykum.

As promised, Alhumdulillah i managed to get an answer from Mufti Muhammad Sahib. Whilst in the car i brought up the subject of saying "Salaams" on the sunniforum. I pointed out the concept of the concern regarding fitnah. In addition, i also notified him of the Sunniforum rules that were set to safeguard all members.

According to Mufti Muhammad, there is no harm in saying "Salaam" on the posts, including between brothers and sisters.

I would also like to clarify the point made by Brother "mossy":

Another interesting thing is that when we address a number of people, saying salam is wajib if there are muslims amongst them, right? Even if some reading/hearing it are non-muslim.

Therefore, wouldn't it be wajib from this position to proffer these when initiating a discussion/making a first contribution to a discussion?

But once engaged in the discussion at hand

Primarily, it is not Wajib to say "Salaam", however it is Sunnah. And to reply to this Salaam is Wajib. Therefore, the concern doesn't arise to write Salaams when initiating a discussion. Additionally, when addressing non muslims also one can use these words "as-salaamu alaa manitab-al huda." Meaning that Greetings be upon he who has followed the guidance".

Therefore this Salaam will only be addressing the Muslims. This Salaam can be found in the letter of the Prophets Alayhimus Salaam.

Another point that i would like to clarify is the replying of the "Salaam" that is written on the posts. As mentioned, the general concept of replying to Salaam is Wajib.

However, in this situation it will not be Wajib as this Salaam is not directed to anyone in particular. It is addressed to a group. This question was asked to Mufti Muhammad Sahib, and the reply is from him.

I hope that i have managed to clarify the matter. May Allah accept that which is right, and forgive any shortcomings. Ameen

Wa Alaykum As Salaam

[Zain121]

As Salaamu Alaykum,

Brother Ibnu Rashid, i have posted my answer in regards to the "salaam". Therefore, taking the principles from the answer it will be fair to derive that to saying "Jazaks" on the forum will also be permissable as long as the concept of fitnah does not exist.

Wa Alaykum As Salaam.

I was gonna ask this same question but masha'Allah it already seems to be in the works of being answered.

Just one thing, if it does turn out that salaams should not be given/replied to, then whats the case with 'jazaks', as this seems even a more personal thing.

And one last question (kind of off topic). Akh Zain, since you have contact with Mufti Muhammad, i was always curious, exactly where in Leicester does he teach at? Not at the IDA right?

[salman]

If anyone is reading the entire text on this issue in Arabic:

http://feqh.al-islam.com/Display.as...%23%23%23%23%23

Jazakallah Sidi! Ive been looking for this for a while...

[Saleel]

brother Zain for asking Mufti Muhammad for us on this issue. May Allah swt reward your efforts. the style of your writing reminds me of the style Mufti Muhammad uses to write his fatawas.

[eat-halal guy]

Jazakallah Sidi! Ive been looking for this for a while...

Waiyyak. , Zain and Mufti Muhammad.