the phrase "Allah hafiz"

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the phrase "Allah hafiz"
pakiprncess
04/20/01 at 18:17:15
asalaam alaikum friends -

ive noticed that a lot of visitors to the board end with the greeting "ma'salaama," "asalaam alaikum," or something of the sort. i rarely see anyone use the greeting, "Allah hafiz." does anyone know if that phrase is wrong or unappropriate? im confused because i heard that saying "khuda hafiz" was wrong because it isnt arabic and actually is of hindi/urdu origin...but isnt "Allah hafiz" arabic?

very confused...please help...
jazak Allahkhair beforehand :)
Re: the phrase "Allah hafiz"
muhannad
04/20/01 at 19:28:38
its best to use the greetings that the prophet used as-salamu alaykum and so on.  This is a greeting that Allah has given us (refer back to the ayah in the Quran).

As for other phrases then I know of some scholars who say there is no problem with using them after you have introduced yourself with the proper Islamic greeting.

e.g. as-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah sabah al-khayr, etc etc

ps. as far as ma' salama, I have never come across it in the old literature, anyone seen it before ??
Re: the phrase "Allah hafiz"
AbdulBasir
04/20/01 at 20:15:44
[slm] :)
I think one reason one doesn't see "Allah hafiz" (I believe the translation would be 'Be in Allah's protection', speakers of Urdu can correct me) much on this board is because, (correct me if I am wrong) this is really a greeting used only in the Indian subcontinent. Alhamdulillah, here in the Madina, we have brothers and sisters from all over the world where such a greeting is unknown!

Nevertheless, if I may add something, and the following is my own opinion, if I am wrong, may Allah SWT forgive me and guide me to the proper understanding.

We have been given the greatest greeting by our Creator in [slm]. It is a greeting of [i]salaam[/i], a greeting of blessings which emanates from the source of all [i]salaam[/i], Al-Salaam Himself. It is the greetings of all the Prophets of Allah (for example Ibrahim AS in adh-Dhariyat, v. 25).

Saying [slm] is among the obigations Muslims have towards one other, according to Rasullah[saw]. And there is nothing we can ever say that even equals it, much less surpasses it. In later times, some people, perhaps with good intentions, introduced things into the practice of Muslims which they thought were good, but we should remember a practice which is perfect cannot be improved upon or added to. Such an act is superfluous, and more seriously, challenges the very perfection of the original practice. And since that practice is the divinely inspired practice of the Prophet[saw] and commandment from Allah that is something a Muslim doesn't want to do.

Are the words "Allah hafiz" necessarily wrong in themselves? Perhaps not. But the context in which it used today, in replacing the [i]tahiyatam min indillaah[/i], the greeting from Allah (cf. al-Nur v. 61), makes it inappropriate in light of the fact that Rasullah[saw] has told us to say salaam not only on arrival, but on departure as well, which is where Allah Hafiz is used.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Rasullalah[saw] said, "When one of you arrives in a gathering, he should offer [i]Salaam[/i] to those who are already there, and he should also do so [color=blue]when he intends to depart[/color]. The first act of greeting is not more meritorious than the last.'" (Narrated in the collection of Abu Dawud)

PS: Allah Hafiz as it is used and meant is still of urdu origin I think. Khuda I believe is of Persian origin, and it was replaced because it can mean other than Lord. So I guess people thought Allah Hafiz was more appropriate and better. But [slm] is the best!

And Allah knows best...
[slm]:)



Re: the phrase "Allah hafiz"
MuslimaKanadiyya
04/21/01 at 10:40:45
[slm]

I have not seen ma'salama written, but I don't have much experience reading arabic. As far as I know (and anyone who knows better please correct me) [i] ma'a al-salaam [/i] (I've just transliterated it differently) is a less formal greeting than  [wlm] that is used when someone leaves you.  It literally means "with peace."  I' ve heard my Arab friends use it sometimes when assalam ' alaikum would be inappropriate for whatever reason, so I don't think that it is reserved for Muslims only, but I could be wrong.

I still think that assalam 'alaikum is the proper greeting for use between muslims because it is the one used in the Qur' an.  

[wlm]
Re: the phrase "Allah hafiz"
Asim
04/21/01 at 15:25:42
Assalaamu alaikum,

When parting one can use the greetings of the land *before* saying asslaamu alaikum. Like one can add take care, Allah hafiz, have a good day, goodbye, etc. As others have pointed out the salaam should be first and last greeting among Muslims.

Wasalaam.
Re: the phrase "Allah hafiz"
pakiprncess
04/23/01 at 16:58:34
asalaam alaikum -

wow! thanks...i didnt realize that Allah hafiz was of cultural origin...silly me =P

now im going to start using the more favored term, inshallah....youre right, br. abdulbasir; Allah (swt) knows best :)

wasalaam :)


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