1337 – ʿAbdullāh ibn Salām d. — narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “People, spread the greeting of peace, strengthen the bonds of kinship, provide food, and pray during the night while others are asleep; you will enter Paradise in peace.” Tirmidhī recorded the ḥadīth and declared it sound (1).
— Ḥadith grading
The report is authentic. Shaykh Shuʿayb al-Arnaʾūṭ notes that it was transmitted by Imām Aḥmad, Ibn Mājah, and al-Dārimī with a sound chain. It was judged ṣaḥīḥ by Tirmidhī and al-Ḥākim, and al-Dhahabī agreed. A supporting narration from Abū Hurayrah appears in al-Ḥākim.
Glossary of terms
• “Spread the greeting of peace” means to make it common and widespread.
• “Strengthen the bonds of kinship” is a command to honour relatives with goodness in word and deed and with gentle conduct; kinship here includes every blood relative and in-law.
• “Sleeping” (niyām) is the plural of nāʾim.
• “Enter Paradise in peace” means without any prior punishment.
Points of benefit
The ḥadīth commends several noble qualities; whoever embodies them will enter Paradise in peace:
- Spreading the greeting of peace among Muslims by saying, “Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah, and His blessings.”