to a compulsory act, for it is unanimously agreed that an obligation is superior. The two obligatory units of the dawn prayer, for instance, are better than its two regular sunnah units precisely because they are obligatory while the latter are merely recommended. Yet initiating the greeting is itself only a sunnah, and still it surpasses returning the greeting, since the latter rests entirely upon the former.

What matters, therefore, is that we revive this sunnah—spreading salam. It generates affection, perfects faith, and is one of the gateways to Paradise. The Prophet ﷺ said, “You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not truly 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 salam among yourselves.”

Part of the Prophet’s humility ﷺ was that, in his own home, he served his family: he would milk the sheep, mend his sandals, and assist them with their household needs. When ‘Ā’ishah was asked what the Prophet ﷺ used to do at home, she replied, “He was in the service of his family.”

Accordingly, when a person is at home it is sunnah for him to make, say, a cup of tea for himself, to cook if he is able, and to wash what needs washing. All of this counts as sunnah: you are rewarded for it by following the Messenger ﷺ and humbling yourself before Allah, and because it nurtures love between you and your family. When your family feel that you share their chores, they will love you more and your standing in their eyes will rise, bringing about great benefit.

Another illustration of the Prophet’s humility ﷺ is that a man once approached him while he was delivering the sermon