as-Salām is interpreted in five ways:
1. as-Salām is used to describe Allah, as in the following verses:
{Allah} is as-Salām, the Believer. (al-Hashr 59:23)
The paths of Salām {that is, Allah's religion, Islam}... (al-Māʾida 5:16)
But Allah invites to dār as-salām {that is, His Paradise}. (Yūnus 10:25)
dār as-salām {that is, Allah's Paradise} is for them. (al-Anʿām 6:127)
2. By as-Salām, goodness is intended, as in the following verses:
So turn away from them and say, "Salām" {that is, say good things}! (az-Zukhruf 43:89)
When the ignorant address them, they say, "Salām" {that is, they respond with good words}. (al-Furqān 25:63)
When they hear ill speech, they say, "Salām upon you" {that is, they respond with good words}, "we have nothing to do with the ignorant." (al-Qaṣaṣ 28:55)
(To his father, who said, "If you do not desist from reviling the idols and believing in tawhid (the oneness of God), I will stone you," Abraham said): "Salām be upon you" {that is, he responded with good words}... (Maryam 19:47)
When they entered upon him and said, "Salām" {that is, they spoke good words} (al-Ḥijr 15:52)
3. By Salām, beautiful praise is intended, as in the following verses:
Salām upon Noah among the worlds {that is, beautiful praise—after him, good and laudatory words are spoken for Noah}. (aṣ-Ṣāffāt 37:79)
Salām upon Moses and Aaron {that is, beautiful praise—after them, good and laudatory words are spoken}. (aṣ-Ṣāffāt 37:120)
Salām upon Abraham {that is, beautiful praise}. (aṣ-Ṣāffāt 37:109)
Thus do We reward the doers of good. (aṣ-Ṣāffāt 37:110)
Salām upon the messengers {that is, beautiful praise}. (aṣ-Ṣāffāt 37:181)
4. By as-Salām, safety from harm or well-being is intended, as in the following verses:
(Allah said): "O Noah! Disembark with a Salām from Us {that is, safety/well-being from drowning and similar harms}." (Hūd 11:48)
O fire! Be coolness and Salām {that is, safety/well-being from the heat and cold of the fire} for Abraham! (al-Anbiyāʾ 21:69)
So peace from the Companions of the Right {when Allah forgives their sins and rewards their good deeds, His Salām is upon them}. (al-Wāqiʿa 56:91)
Enter it in peace, safe and secure {Allah will grant them safety/well-being in their affairs}. (al-Ḥijr 15:46)
Enter it with Salām {(that is, safety/well-being)}. This is the Day of Eternity. (Qāf 50:34)
5. By the word as-Salām, the greeting exchanged among Muslims and the greeting of the people of Paradise is intended; in the following verses, it carries this meaning:
Whenever you enter houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allah, blessed and good. (an-Nūr 24:61)
The angels will enter upon them from every gate, [saying], "Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured." (ar-Raʿd 13:23-24)