What is the prescribed formula for concluding the prayer (Taslim)?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
The Sunnah is to say: 'As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah' (Peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah). This is based on the practice of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, as narrated by Ibn Mas'ud, Jabir bin Samurah, and others. Furthermore, Wael bin Hujr narrated that the Prophet would say when turning right: 'As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh' (Peace be upon you, the Mercy of Allah, and His Blessings) and when turning left: 'As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh'. Saying the longer version is permissible, but the shorter version ('As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah') is superior because its narrators are more numerous and its chains of transmission more authentic.
Supporting text
If one says only 'As-salamu alaykum' (Peace be upon you) and omits 'wa rahmatullah', the apparent view of Ahmad is that it suffices. This is also the position of Al-Shafi'i, based on the saying that the dissolution (tahlil) of the prayer is the Taslim, which is achieved by this utterance. Sa'd narrated that the Prophet would say 'As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah' twice, turning right and left, to the extent that the whiteness of his cheek could be seen. Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, also narrated that he would say 'As-salamu alaykum, as-salamu alaykum' when turning right and left.