✿ Should One Say “As-Salamu ‘Alaikum” to Family Members? Complete Guidance from Qur’an and Hadith ✿
Taken from: Fatawa ‘Ilmiyyah, Vol. 1 – Principles, Takhreej & Tahqeeq of Narrations – p. 653
❀ The Question ❀
When a person enters his home, can he say “As-Salamu ‘Alaikum” to his family members such as mother, sister, daughter, wife, etc.? Please provide evidence.
✿ The Answer ✿
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
◈ Evidence from the Qur’an
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿فَإِذا دَخَلتُم بُيوتًا فَسَلِّموا عَلىٰ أَنفُسِكُم تَحِيَّةً مِن عِندِ اللَّهِ مُبـٰرَكَةً طَيِّبَةً﴾
“When you enter houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allah, blessed and good.”
(Surah al-Nur, Ayah 61)
◈ Practice of the Sahabah
Sayyiduna Jabir bin ‘Abdullah al-Ansari (RA) said:
"إِذَا دَخَلْتَ عَلَىٰ أَهْلِكَ فَسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِمْ تَحِيَّةً مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ مُبَارَكَةً طَيِّبَةً"
“When you enter upon your family, say Salam to them — a greeting from Allah, blessed and good.”
Reference: al-Adab al-Mufrad by al-Bukhari: 1095 – Sahih chain
✿ Conclusion and Ruling ✿
✔ From the Qur’anic command and the practice of the Sahabah, it is clear that:
- When entering one’s home, a person should greet his family — mother, wife, sister, daughter, brother, etc. — with “As-Salamu ‘Alaikum.”
- This act is:
◈ Established from the Sunnah
◈ Brings blessings
◈ A source of reward
⚖ Final Note:
Saying Salam to one’s household is a Sunnah, a means of spreading peace and barakah, and should be practiced consistently.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
(Allah knows best what is correct.)
