Second: If he uses the singular, saying, “Peace be upon you [singular], and the mercy of Allah,” it is not sufficient, due to the Prophet’s statement, peace and blessings be upon him: “Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours will have it rejected.” (1) There is also a difference between the singular and plural forms.

Third: If he says only, “Peace be upon you all,” is that sufficient?

The scholars differed concerning this issue (2):

Some held that it is not sufficient, and this is the established position of the school. (3)

Others held that it is sufficient, and this is a reported position from Ahmad, (4) because it occurs in the hadith of Jabir ibn Samurah, who said: “I prayed with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and when we said the salām, we would gesture with our hands, saying: ‘Peace be upon you, peace be upon you …’” (5) No mention is made of “and the mercy of Allah.” According to this view, the words “and the mercy of Allah” are sunnah, not obligatory.

Fourth: Should he add to it, saying, “Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings”?

The answer: This is a matter concerning which the scholars differed. (6) Some held that it is preferable not to add anything, and this is the well-known position of Imam Ahmad’s school; (7) this applies to neither the first nor the second salām.

Some scholars, however, held that one should add to the first salām