Original review by Syihabudin Ahmad
This page was translated automatically from the approved Malay review. Consult the original if wording differs.
Short answer
Giving salām upon arriving at a gathering has an accepted proof. The hadith of Abu Hurayrah RA in Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi no. 2706 was graded hasan by al-Tirmidhi. However, the brief wording “al-salam qabl al-kalam” has another chain of transmission that is problematic and must not be equated with this hadith.
Arabic wording
إِذَا انْتَهَى أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى مَجْلِسٍ فَلْيُسَلِّمْ، فَإِنْ بَدَا لَهُ أَنْ يَجْلِسَ فَلْيَجْلِسْ، ثُمَّ إِذَا قَامَ فَلْيُسَلِّمْ، فَلَيْسَتِ الْأُولَى بِأَحَقَّ مِنَ الْآخِرَةِ.
Translation
When one of you arrives at a gathering, let him give salām. If he wishes to sit, then let him sit. Then, when he rises to leave, let him give salām. The first salām is not more entitled than the last salām.
Narrator
Abu Hurayrah RA (main hadith)
Sources and scholars
Abu Isa al-Tirmidhi; Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani
Scholarly commentary
1. Al-Tirmidhi, Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, no. 2706, graded this narration of Abu Hurayrah as hasan.
2. Al-Albani graded the related narration in Sunan Abi Dawud no. 5208 as hasan sahih.
3. Al-Tirmidhi, no. 2699, graded the narration of Jabir with the wording al-salam qabl al-kalam as munkar. He cited al-Bukhari’s criticism of Anbasah bin Abd al-Rahman and Muhammad bin Zadhan in its chain of transmission.
Explanation
1. Which hadith may be relied upon as evidence?
The main hadith above is the narration of Abu Hurayrah concerning giving salām when arriving at and when leaving a gathering. It was graded hasan by al-Tirmidhi.
2. How does it answer the question about opening a speech?
The hadith teaches giving salām when arriving at a gathering. Based on this etiquette, beginning a meeting and addressing the attendees with salām is a good practice. Its application to a speech is an explanation, not an added wording of the hadith.
3. What about “Salām before speaking”?
The wording السَّلَامُ قَبْلَ الْكَلَامِ appears in the narration of Jabir, al-Tirmidhi no. 2699. Al-Tirmidhi criticised it as munkar because its chain of transmission is problematic. The virtue of the etiquette of salām does not mean that every wording mentioning it becomes authentic.
4. Is salām only when arriving?
No. The main narration also teaches giving salām when rising to leave. Both are given attention in the hadith.
Conclusion
Status of the main hadith: Hasan. Practise giving salām when arriving at and leaving a gathering; distinguish this proof from the specific narration “Salām before speaking,” which is problematic.
Have another hadith you would like to check?
Subscribe to HadithXpert to ask questions, receive initial AI answers, follow expert review progress and view your question history.
Guests can try one free question. A 3-day trial is available with the monthly plan.