📌Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Horizons of Thoughts Another Important Meaning of Al-salam Some authoritative lexicographers like al-Mustafawi in his al-Tahqiq fi Kalimat al-Qur'an al-Karim define al-Salam as 'a state that depicts the apparent dimension of an entity to be intensely coherent with its hidden dimension, such that no kind of difference remains in between.[^55] This meaning, we must understand, does not contradict the aforementioned definition, for to be in the state of equilibrium such that the apparent and the hidden of a thing are intensely coherent to each other, is nothing but to be free from spiritual calamities and imperfections.
Considering this definition, if we take the phrase 'As Salamu 'Alayka as invocative (li al-du'a) [^56], then we are seeking the exalted state of salam for the Imam ('a) in its higher degrees, and thus indirectly declaring our harmony with the spirit of salam too. This is because one does not seek anything good for someone save that his heart truly confirms to it.
This therefore calls for a great responsibility in the za'ir: to struggle and seek the state of salam which in the case of the human being is the equilibrium of the soul (salah al-nafs). If one begins his journey towards this exalted state by self-purification as expounded by the masters of ethics, his/her salam would truly shine with the spirit of sincerity.
It is the fear of such state of salam acquired by the revolutionary za'ir that led tyrants [^57] like the the Abbaside ruler Mutawakkil bi' Allah to hamper and even kill anyone who aspired to visit the shrine of Imam al-Hussein ('a). Other Variables of al-Salam Sometimes, the article 'al' in al-Salam conveys either of the following: 1- All kinds of peace 2- The most perfect peace This is when the definite article 'al' denotes 'genus' or 'species'.
Those who are acquainted with lexical discussions may consider the footnote below. [^58] Therefore when we seek the state of al-Salam for our Imam ('a) we either seek all kinds of peace that behoove his exalted being, or the most perfect peace. Seeking the second form of peace is in reality seeking higher levels of peace for the Imam ('a) who already enjoys peace. In fact the verse below implies that the degrees of peace are endless: وَاللهُ يَدْعُو اِلي دَارِ السَّلاَمِ.
📌And Allah invites to the abode of Peace…[^59] Note that the indefinite verb yad'u denotes 'continuity' and permanence.