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"He created man. He taught him eloquent speech." [Soorah ar-Rahmaan (55): 3-4]

Islaam is the religion of Peace. The word ‘Islaam’ comes from the root-word Salaam meaning 'Peace'. The greeting of Salaam is a symbol of Islaam. Salaam exists since the time of Adam and is the greeting of the people of Paradise. Allah chose salaam as greeting for His creation. The Messenger of Allah said: "When Allah created Adam , He told him: 'Go and greet those group of angles who were sitting and listen to how they greet you, for it will be your greeting and that of your descendants. So he said: 'As-salaam Alaikum' and they responded: "Wa-alaikum as-salaam wa-rahmatullah' they added: 'wa-rahmatullah'" [Agreed upon] It is also one of the Exalted Names of Allah, the source of peace and protection. Salaam is a greeting from Him.  

"When you enter the houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allah (i.e. say 'As-salaam Alaikum') blessed and good." [Soorah an-Noor (24): 61]

Salaam is a distinctive aspect of a Muslims social conduct. Greeting someone with Salaams is a kind of invocation for his welfare and blessings. It instills brotherly love and strengthens the ties of brotherhood and closeness, and mutual relationships result in a strong and unwavering society. Abu Hurayrah reported the Messenger of Allah said: "By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Should I not guide you to something which will install love amongst you: 'Spread salaams amongst you.'" [Abu Dawood (v: 3, no: 5174)]

The saying of Allah's Messenger: "Spread salaams amongst you" means to greet all those whom you know and those whom you don't. A man asked Allah's Messenger: "Which part of Islam is best? He replied: "That you should provide food and say salaam to those whom you know and those you do not know." [Abu Dawood (v: 3, no: 5175) agreed upon]

Abdullah Ibn Umar used to go to the market in the morning, and he did not pass by anybody without saying salaam to him. One day he was asked: "What do you do in the market, when you do not sell anything, or ask about prices, or haggle, or join any gathering?" He said: "We go there in the morning for the purpose of saying salaam to whoever we meet." [Adaab al-Mufrad of Imaam Bukharee]