Question:
I want to ask when the imam gives his salam after prayer, is it necessary for the makmum to answer the salam given?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the many countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
In this issue, there is a hadith from Samurah bin Jundub, where he said:
أَمَرَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ نُسَلِّمَ عَلَى أَنْفُسِنَا وَأَنْ يُسَلِّمَ بَعْضُنَا عَلَى بَعْضٍ
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded us to greet our Imam with Salam, and to greet one another with Salam.”
Sunan Abu Daud (1001)
In another hadith, Saidina Ali RA narrated how the Prophet PBUH prayed, where he said:
يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَ كُلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ بِالتَّسْلِيمِ عَلَى الْمَلاَئِكَةِ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ
“…separating between every two Rak'ah with At-Taslim upon the angels that are close (to Allah) and those who follow them among the believers, and the Muslims.”
Sunan al-Tirmizi (598)
According to both of the above hadiths, we state here that this issue has been discussed by scholars. Among their opinions, the scholars from madhhab al-Syafie state that it is sunnah when in prayer to set the intention that the first salam to the right is for the angels, humans and jinn who are Muslims. Then it is sunnah to set the intention that the second salam is for those on the left. See al-Muktamad fi al-Fiqh al-Syafie (1/131)
For an imam, he can add his intention that his salam is for the makmum, the same for the makmum where he can answer the salam of the imam or anyone else’s in the congregation. See Hasyiah al-Baijuri (1/304).
Conclusion
According to the above discussion, it is sunnah for the imam when he is giving his salam in prayer for the makmum that follow him. It is also sunnah for the makmum when giving his salam to set the intention the salam is for the imam or answer the salam of the imam’s or someone else’s. However, it is also permissible if one just gives his salam, without setting the intention as encouraged.
May Allah SWT give us understanding in practising His commandments. Amin.