Q: Does performing Taslim (salutation of peace ending the Prayer) to the right side only suffice in Salah (prayer) or not? Some people in my village offer Taslim to the right side only and do not do it to the left claiming that Satan is located on the left side. What is the ruling on performing Taslim in Salah?

A: The Sunnah (acts, sayings or approvals of the Prophet) of the Prophet (peace be upon him) proved that the person praying should perform Taslim to the right and the left sides, as this is the recorded practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in Salah. (Part No. 5; Page No. 410) The Five Compilers of Hadith (Imams Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa’y and Ibn Majah) narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that “The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to offer Taslim to his right and left sides saying: ‘As-salamu ‘alaykum warahmatullah! As-salamu ‘alaykum warahmatullah! (May Allah’s Peace and Mercy be upon you! May Allah’s Peace and Mercy be upon you!) until the whiteness of his cheek was seen.” This Hadith is classified as Sahih (authentic) by Al-Tirmidhy. Also, it is reported on the authority of ‘Amir ibn Sa‘d from his father that he said: “I used to see the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) offering Taslim to his right and left sides until the whiteness of his cheek was seen.” (Related by Ahmad, Muslim, Al-Nasa'y, and Ibn Majah) Al-Shawkany said: This is the soundest view owing to many Hadiths that mentioned Taslim to two sides, some of which are Sahih (authentic) and others, which are Hasan (good), and they include reference to addition. These are authentically reported contrary to the Hadiths that mentioned Taslim to one side only, which, in addition to being few, are Da‘if (weak) and so do not rise to the level of taking them as evidence; even if they rise to such a level, still they will not be valid for their opposing the Hadiths which mention that the Prophet (peace be upon him) offered Taslim to both sides. Moreover, Ibn ‘Abdul-Bar elaborated on the weakness of the proofs given by those supporting offering Taslim to the right side only. As for what you mentioned that some Muslims do not offer Taslim to the left side under the pretext that Satan is located on the left side, it is a wrong saying and does not have any basis from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Taslim in Salah is an obligatory act, without which Salah is not valid. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The key to Salah is purification. Its Tahrim (forbiddance of any actions outside prayer) is (starts) with the Takbir (saying: ‘Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]’ upon commencing Prayer) and its Tahallul (ending of the praying state) is with the Taslim.” (Related by the Five Compilers of Hadith except Al-Nasa’y) Al-Tirmidhy said: This is the most authentic narration in this regard and the best one. `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) also reported a Hadith which states: “He (peace be upon him) used to conclude the Salah with the Taslim.” (Related by Muslim in his Sahih [authentic] Book of Hadith, Ahmad in his Musnad and Abu Dawud in his Sunan) (Part No. 5; Page No. 411) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.