Saying salam to the right and left at end of salat

[Joshimitsu]

Salam,

I came across this on wikipedia:

People often refer to the salutation at the end of the prayer to be addressed to these two angels. However this is mistaken. The translation of Assalam u alaykum warahmatullah is as follows 'May the peace and mercy of Allah be with you'. This means the peace is being sent to all the world on the right of the one who is praying and peace to be sent to all the world on the left of the one who is praying. Nowhere in Islam do muslims offer salaam to angels.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiraman_Katibin

Now, before I get chastised for using wikipedia for Islamic knowledge, let me tell you that I wasn't actually looking for this, I merely stumbled across it by chance.

Is there any truth in the above? Who are we giving salam to at the end of salat when we look to our right and left shoulders?

Also, could anyone provide the hadith references as to why we give salam to the right and left and whether it is an obligatory part of the salat.

Thanks

[safinatun_naja]

As Salamu alaikum,

In the Shafi'i school, it is Sunnah for the person praying to send Salam to the one on one's right. This includes the Angels and Mu'minin, both Man and Jinn.

[safinatun_naja]

" This means the peace is being sent to all the world on the right of the one who is praying and peace to be sent to all the world on the left of the one who is praying. Nowhere in Islam do muslims offer salaam to angels. "

Angels are included in "all the worlds" this should be known to even beginner students of Tafsir....

[abulayl]

here is from hanafi fiqh book, but not aware about hadith : There are three instances; a) Either a person is an Imaam (leading the prayer), b) A Muqtadi (following the Imaam), and c) A Munfarid (reading Salaat individually). When making salaam, the Imaam will make intention for the men, women, children, haemophrodites, angels and the pious Jinnaat. The Muqtadi will make intention for the Imaam on the right if he (the Imaam) is to the right of him and on the left if the Imaam is to the left of him and he will make intention for the Imaam on both sides if he is directly behind the Imaam. He will also make intention for the angels and pious Jinns and the Munfarid will make intention for the angels. (Tahtawi pg.223)

[Joshimitsu]

Salam,

Thanks for the responses above. I take it giving the salam is not an obligatory part of the salat.

Does anyone know of the hadith references regarding this act?

[umar_italy]

It's mentioned in Nur al-Idah as well (the intention of greeting the angels.

No idea who wrote that article and why he was so bold in stating: "Nowhere in Islam do muslims offer salaam to angels".

[Abu Jahid]

It's mentioned in Nur al-Idah as well (the intention of greeting the angels.

No idea who wrote that article and why he was so bold in stating: "Nowhere in Islam do muslims offer salaam to angels".

Akhi, if Mufti Wikipedia is saying this, who are we to say otherwise?...

[Joshimitsu]

Salam,

It's mentioned in Nur al-Idah as well (the intention of greeting the angels.

No idea who wrote that article and why he was so bold in stating: "Nowhere in Islam do muslims offer salaam to angels".

Thanks. I don't have the book bro, so could you tell me if:

a) it provides any hadith references
b) says whether it is an obligatory action in salat.

[abulayl]

b) says whether it is an obligatory action in salat.

nope, its not obligatory. what you were refering is to having intention of giving salam toward angels, its also not an action, it just what you keep in mind while giving salam.

[Sulaiman84]

In Mufti Afzal Husein Ilyas's Taleemud-Deen, under the sunnats of salah its written:

44. To turn the face first to the right then to the left when making salaam.
45. For the Imaam to make intention for all the people following him, the angels and the pious jinn.
46. For the person following the Imaam to include the Imaam in his intention whenever he is standing. If he is directly behind the Imaam he should include him in both the salaams together with the people, angels and the pious jinn.
47. For a Munfarid (one performing Salaat alone) to only intend for the angels in his salaam.
48. To say the second salaam in a softer tone than the first.
49. The salaam of the Muqtadi (follower) and the Imaam should be simultaneous, (not after it).
50. To begin the salaam from the right side.
etc...