Salam (Closing)

What is the Closing Salam?

The Salam (Arabic السلام, "peace") that closes every Muslim prayer is the formula "As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah" — "Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah." It is pronounced twice: first while turning the face and gaze to the right, then to the left. With it, the worshipper exits the sacred state of ihram entered at Takbiratul Ihram.

Who Is Greeted?

The Salam is understood as a greeting extended to multiple audiences at once:

• The angels who record the prayer, standing at the right and left shoulders.
• The brothers and sisters praying in congregation on either side.
• The Muslim community — a supplication of peace for all believers.

Scriptural Basis

• Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas said: "I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ give salam to his right and to his left until I could see the whiteness of his cheek" (Muslim 582).
• The Prophet ﷺ said: "The key to prayer is purification, its beginning is takbir, and its end is tasleem" (Abu Dawud 61).

Ruling

The first Salam (to the right) is a pillar of the prayer in the Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools — without it the prayer is invalid. In the Hanafi school it is wajib. The second Salam (to the left) is Sunnah in all schools; omitting it does not invalidate the prayer. Adding "wa barakatuh" to the salam is Sunnah in some schools and not in others.

Common Sunnahs After Salam

Immediately after the closing salam, the following are Sunnah:

• Saying Astaghfirullah three times.
• Reciting: "Allahumma anta's-salam, wa minka's-salam, tabarakta ya dhal-jalali wal-ikram" ("O Allah, You are Peace, and from You is peace; blessed are You, O Owner of Majesty and Honour").
• The prescribed adhkar of morning and evening (Ayat al-Kursi, the last two verses of al-Baqarah, tasbih-Fatimah, and others).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the second Salam obligatory?

The first (right) Salam is required in the majority of schools; the second (left) is a strong Sunnah. Omitting the second does not invalidate the prayer but forfeits a great reward.

What if I move before the salam?

Deliberate speech or unrelated action before the salam invalidates the prayer, as the state of ihram has not yet ended. Small inadvertent movements do not invalidate it, but sujud al-sahw may be required in some cases.