Taslim (Concluding Greeting)
The concluding peace greeting that marks the end of the prayer.
Taslim (Arabic: تسليم) is the concluding peace greeting "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah" (Peace and Allah's mercy be upon you), which marks the formal end of the Islamic prayer. With the taslim, the worshipper leaves the prayer's sacred state (ihram) and returns to the daily state.
In Shia Islam, the minimal taslim formula is: "As-salamu alaykum" (Peace be upon you), said once with the face turned to the right or straight ahead. According to Shia fiqh, it is recommended (mustahab) but not obligatory to add "wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh". Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) explained: "Taslim is the last part of the prayer — when you have said taslim, the prayer is finished" (Tahdhib al-Ahkam by Shaykh al-Tusi, vol. 2).
There is a theological difference between Shia and Sunni practice regarding taslim. In Shia fiqh, taslim is considered wajib (obligatory) according to most modern scholars, while in earlier jurisprudence it was debated whether taslim was merely mustahab.
It is recommended after taslim to recite takbir three times (Allahu Akbar with hands raised to the ears), followed by Tasbihat al-Zahra (Fatimah al-Zahra's tasbih), which is one of the most important dhikr practices in Shia Islam after the prayer.
Related terms
Tabi'in (The Successors)
The generation of Muslims who met the Prophet's companions but did not themselves meet the Prophet.
Ihsan (Excellence)
The highest level of worship: to worship Allah as if one can see Him.
Rak'ah (Prayer Cycle)
A single cycle of movements and recitations in the Islamic prayer.
Sahih al-Bukhari (Bukhari's Authentic Collection)
The most authoritative hadith collection in Sunni Islam, compiled by Imam al-Bukhari.
Du'a Tawassul (Supplication of Intercession)
A supplication where one asks Allah through the intercession of the Prophet and Ahl al-Bayt.
Mab'ath (The Prophet's Calling)
The day when Prophet Muhammad received the first revelation and was called to prophethood.