of every outward or inward stain. Purification therefore has three spheres: the first concerns one’s relationship with Allah; the second, one’s relationship with the Messenger; and the third, one’s relationship with people in general.
In relation to Allah Most High, a person purifies himself of associating partners with Him and worships Allah with sincere devotion to Him alone. In relation to the Messenger, he purifies himself of innovation and worships Allah in accordance with the revealed law of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—in belief, speech, and action. In his dealings with people, he purifies himself of rancor, resentment, hostility, and hatred. He avoids everything that causes hostility and hatred among Muslims and does everything that fosters affection and love. This includes spreading greetings of peace, concerning which the Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:
“You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not direct you to something which, if you do it, will cause you to love one another? Spread greetings of peace among yourselves.” (1)
Greetings of peace are among the strongest means of fostering love and affection among Muslims, and this is something readily observed. If a man passes by you without greeting you, you feel something toward him; and if you do not greet him, he feels something toward you. But if you greet him, or he greets you, this becomes like a bond between you that engenders affection and love. Regarding greetings of peace, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—also said, “And greet those whom you know and those whom you do not know.” (2)
Most people today greet only those they know and do not greet those they do not know. This is wrong, because if you greet only those you know, your greeting is not offered sincerely for Allah’s sake. Greet those Muslims whom you know and those whom you do not know, so that through it you may attain mutual love among Muslims and completeness of faith, the ultimate end being entrance into Paradise. May Allah make us among its people.