When someone says salam to another human being...

When someone says salam to another human being, one is conveying that he is at peace with the other. Through basic principles (such as manners, respect, control, and desire for peace) one can grow. Following such wisdom from the Qur’an, one is able to struggle with one’s self to better and, ultimately, save one’s self.

The Qur’an further mentions i nter alia : “Say, „Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has brought forth for His servants, and the good things of [His] provision?’” : (7:32 ) , inter alia : “Those who, when spending, are neither wasteful nor tight-fisted.” (25:67) , inter alia : “O you who have faith! Eat of the good things We have provided you, and thank Allah.” (2:172) , inter alia : “O mankind!

Eat of what is lawful and pure in the earth.” (2:168) , inter alia : “So eat out of what Allah has provided you as lawful and good.” (16:114) , inter alia : “Allah does not task any soul beyond its capacity.” (2:286) , inter alia : “He has chosen you and has not placed for you any obstacle in the religion.” (22:78) , inter alia : “Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire hardship for you.” (2:185) , Looking at these verses and synthesizing them, one can see that Allah (the All-Wise) wants us as individuals to perform acts to purify and better ourselves.

For example, adorning Allah (the All-Praiseworthy) through salat (Islamic ritual prayer) and sawn (fasting), spending money wisely and with a good heart, and eating lawful and good foods. By knowing what to do and then doing it, one is able to better himself. Furthermore, Allah (the All-Knowing) knows that we have limitations and that we are human, and so He does not want to burden us. He allows us to perform acts based on our capacity.

However, He wants us to know what to do (at our different capacities) and apply it so that we can be just to our own souls and save ourselves. 8 [^1]: Unless otherwise noted, all translations are based on The Qur’an. Trans. Ali Quli Qara’i. Elmhurst, New York: Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, Inc., 2006. Previous…