السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
When to Read
From the moment your child is born, begin saying 'As-salamu alaykum' to them. This practice should continue as they grow, becoming a consistent part of your daily interactions. Say Salam when you enter their room, when they wake up, before feeding them, or simply as a loving greeting whenever you see or engage with them. It instills the habit of Salam even before they understand its meaning.
How to Read
Recite the full Islamic greeting, 'As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,' in a clear, gentle, and loving tone when addressing your baby. While they cannot respond initially, your consistent practice sets the foundation. As they grow older and begin to speak, gently encourage them to mimic you. Model the practice by greeting everyone with Salam in front of them, reinforcing its importance through your actions.
Virtues & Benefits
Teaching and practicing Salam with a newborn is an act of Sunnah, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ who used to greet children. This early exposure helps ingrain a fundamental Islamic practice and fosters an environment of peace and blessings from Allah in the home. The Prophet ﷺ taught us the immense value of spreading Salam, stating: 'You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread Salam amongst yourselves.' (Sahih Muslim 54). By initiating our children into this beautiful practice, we are instilling love, peace, and a connection to our faith from their very first days, earning blessings for ourselves and our families.
Source & Authentication
**Arabic:** عَنْ أَنَسٍ، أَنَّهُ مَرَّ عَلَى صِبْيَانٍ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَقَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَفْعَلُهُ . **Translation:** Anas reported that he passed by children and greeted them (with Salam) and said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to do this. **Transliteration:** *An Anas, annahu marra 'ala sibyanin fasallama 'alayhim wa qala kana an-nabiyyu ﷺ yaf'aluhu.*