How many Taslims (greetings of finalization) are prescribed at the end of the prayer?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
The prescribed Sunnah is to deliver two Taslims, one to the right and one to the left. This view is held by Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, Ali, Ammar, Ibn Mas'ud, Nafi' bin Abdullah Al-Harith, 'Alqamah, Abu 'Amr As-Sulami, 'Ata', Ash-Sha'bi, Ath-Thawri, Ash-Shafi'i, Ishaq, Ibn Al-Mundhir, and the Companions of Ra'y (Ahl al-Ra'y). The evidence supporting this is the report from Ibn Mas'ud stating that the Prophet (peace be upon him) greeted until the whiteness of his cheek was seen, both to his right and to his left. Furthermore, Jabir bin Samurah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that it suffices for one of them to place his hand on his thigh and then offer the greeting to his brother on his right and left. A narration of Ibn Mas'ud specifies that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah" to his right, and "Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah" to his left. Al-Tirmidhi authenticated Ibn Mas'ud's hadith as Hasan Sahih. The multiplicity of the reports showing two Taslims, which include an addition over those reporting one, makes them acceptable as the addition from a trustworthy source is accepted.
Supporting text
The opinion stating that only one Taslim is sufficient is held by Ibn 'Umar, Anas, Salamah bin Al-Akwa', 'A'ishah, Al-Hasan, Ibn Sirin, 'Umar bin 'Abdul-'Aziz, Malik, and Al-Awza'i. The evidence for this is the narration from 'A'ishah that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to give one Taslim facing directly forward, and another report from Salamah bin Al-Akwa' stating he saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) pray and give one Taslim. Furthermore, the legal reasoning cited is that the first Taslim removes one from the prayer, making any subsequent one unnecessary, similar to a second Salam in a two-rak'ah prayer. It is also suggested that the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed both actions to clarify what is permissible and what is Sunnah, drawing an analogy to Hajj which has both an initiation and two states of exiting (tahallul).