As-Salam

What does As-Salam mean?

As-Salam is one of the 99 Names of Allah, meaning "The Source of Peace," "The Flawless". It carries two linked meanings: Allah is the One utterly free from every defect, fault, and imperfection; and He is the giver of safety, security, and peace to His creation. The greeting of the believers, "As-salamu alaykum," and the very name of Paradise (Dar al-Salam, the Abode of Peace) flow from this name.

The Meaning in Depth

Everything other than Allah is touched by deficiency, change, and need. As-Salam alone is perfect peace in His essence, attributes, and actions — free of partner, weakness, or flaw. Because true peace comes from Him, it is in remembering Him that "hearts find rest" (13:28). He is the One who greets the people of Paradise with peace and whose own greeting is Salam.

As-Salam in the Quran

• "He is Allah, other than whom there is no deity, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Source of Peace (As-Salam)..." (59:23)
• "For them will be the Home of Peace (Dar al-Salam) with their Lord." (6:127)
• "Peace — a word from a Merciful Lord." (36:58)

Living by This Name

Knowing Allah as As-Salam directs the heart to seek peace where it truly lies — in nearness to God, not in the restless pursuit of the world. It calls the believer to be a source of peace and safety to others: the Prophet ﷺ said, "The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand people are safe" (Bukhari 10). Spreading the greeting of salam and dealing gently with others are direct expressions of this name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Muslims greet with "As-salamu alaykum"?

Because peace (salam) is from Allah, As-Salam. The greeting is a prayer that God's peace, mercy, and blessings be upon the other person, and spreading it is a means of mutual love among believers.

How is As-Salam connected to Paradise?

Paradise is called Dar al-Salam, the Abode of Peace, because it is free of all harm, sorrow, and deficiency, and because its people are greeted with peace from their Lord.