FatwaFederal TerritoriesEthics, Remembrance & Supplication
IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-526: MEMBERI SALAM DENGAN LAFAZ “SALAM SUBUH” DAN SEUMPAMA DENGANNYA
Is it permissible to open a greeting with phrases such as "Salam Subuh", "Salam Jumaat" or "Salam Tahajud", or is this an innovation (bidaah)?
Short answer
Phrases such as "Salam Subuh" were never uttered by the Prophet or the Companions, but they are permissible because their usage has become an ordinary greeting according to local custom, like "good evening".
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum (Umum)
- Topic
- Ethics, Remembrance & Supplication
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Phrases such as "Salam Subuh" were never uttered by the Prophet or the Companions, but they are permissible because their usage has become an ordinary greeting according to local custom, like "good evening". The ruling depends on intention. If a person regards the phrase as equal to the greeting taught by the Prophet, it is not appropriate, since the salam is an act of worship that must follow the Shariah method. Such greetings need not be answered, and Muslims are advised to prefer the Prophet's wording and to write any addition separately, for example "Assalamualaikum and good morning".
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Secara umumnya, lafaz salam sebegitu secara zahirnya tidak pernah diucapkan oleh Nabi dan para sahabat.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-526: MEMBERI SALAM DENGAN LAFAZ “SALAM SUBUH” DAN SEUMPAMA DENGANNYA”, 7 July 2020. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/umum/4561-irsyad-al-fatwa-siri-ke-526-memberi-salam-dengan-lafaz-salam-subuh-dan-seumpama-dengannya. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-salam-subuh-greetings/