Standing up for Salaami

Question

Recently I was by family and the ladies were at home listening via livestream to a programme from the Masjid. These relatives are Sunni/Barelwi. After the programme the speaker started reciting salaam, so everyone stood up. I remained seated while they did the Salaami. Was this correct for me to do?

Also, is it permissible say the words “Ya Nabi Salaam ‘Alaika…” as they do in the Salaami, and in many Nasheeds that contain Salaam and praise of Nabi ﷺ, when we are not in Masjid-un-Nabawi? Or any other Salaam that includes directly addressing Nabi ﷺ?

Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani · Accepted Answer

Yes, you acted correctly by not standing up to offer Salaam as the custom of offering Salaam in the prescribed manner is categorized as an innovation or Bid’ah. Furthermore, some people hold the belief that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is present hence they stand and offer Salaam whereas only Allah Ta’ala is omnipresent. In regards to innovations Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam states:

Aisha Radiallahu Anha narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Whoever innovates a new practice in our Deen (which is not part of it) then it will be rejected.” [Muslim]

Furthermore, the Fuqahaa have written that one should not use the words “Ya Rasulallah” or “Ya Nabi” if one is not at the Rawdah Mubarak, as it creates the impression or misunderstanding that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is omnipresent whereas this is a quality exclusive to Allah Ta’ala as explained above.

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