Understanding Islam — Page 10
IS ISLAM A VIOLENT RELIGION? 10 full”. The Islamic salutation Ass ā lamu ‘Alaikum exchanged between two Muslims whenever they meet literally means: ‘May peace be upon you’. In fact, this greeting is so important that Prophet Muhammad sa told the Muslims to extend this greeting of peace regardless of whether they know the other person or not. 3 The Holy Quran frequently employs the word sal ā m with the connotation of peace. For example, it declares: Allah guides those who seek His pleasure on the paths of sal ā m [peace] 4 For them is the abode of sal ā m [peace] with their Lord. 5 It can also connote security, as the Holy Quran states: Sal ā m [Peace] be upon Noah. 6 Even one of the names of Allah mentioned in the Holy Quran is As-Sal ā m , meaning, ‘The Source of Peace’. 7 Hence, the unfounded claim that the definition of Islam as peace is a “later innovation” is false.