Islamic History
The First Greeting in Human History
The Exalted Allah, when He created Adam (peace be upon him),[121] said to him: ‘Go to the assembly of these angels and greet them with ‘Esselâmü aleyküm’ [123]. Observe how they respond to your greeting! Listen carefully to what they will say. For it is both your and your progeny’s greeting.'[128] Adam (peace be upon him) went to the angels and said: ‘Esselâmü aleyküm!’ The angels responded: ‘Esselâmü aleyküm ve rahmetullah!’ [129] Or: ‘Ve aleykesselâmü ve rahmetullah!’ They added the words ‘Rahmetullah’ to their greetings.[131]