that they give the salām as he does, after he has completed his salām, so that their salām after his is like a response to him. He did not mean that they should say, “And peace be upon you,” for that would be contrary to the practice they were observing. As for his statement, “and they greet one another,” what is meant is that each person says, “Peace be upon you all,” so each one greets the other with these words; thus, the salām of the second suffices in place of a separate response. This is the closest explanation that can be given regarding the response to this salām. There is no doubt that the followers in prayer greet one another in this manner, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said when they used to raise their hands and gesture with them: “Why do you gesture with your hands as though they were the tails of skittish horses? It would suffice for one of you to place his hand on his thigh, then greet his brother to his right and to his left.” (1)

This indicates that the salām is intended as a greeting for those beside a person. Yet, since each person greets the other, this suffices in place of a response. And Allah knows best.

His statement, “Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah,” has already been explained in the discussion of the tashahhud (2).

And likewise to his left …

His statement, “And likewise to his left,” means that he says, “Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.” There is a point for discussion concerning the salām:

First: If he says, “Peace be upon you,” without the definite article, is it valid?

The answer: Yes, but the sunnah is to include the definite article, saying, “Peace be upon you.”