What is the ruling regarding the number of required tasleemahs (greetings of peace) at the end of prayer?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
The mandatory requirement is one tasleemah; the second tasleemah is Sunnah (a recommended practice). The consensus of scholars known to Ibn al-Mundhir holds that a prayer performed with only one tasleemah is valid (ja'iz). The basis for this view is that one tasleemah is sufficient to exit the prayer, and since this act completes the prayer, nothing further is obligatory. Furthermore, one tasleemah suffices for this type of prayer, similar to the funeral prayer (Janazah) or voluntary prayers (Nawafil). The narration attributed to Jabir regarding sufficiency refers to fulfilling the Sunnah, as evidenced by other non-obligatory descriptions given alongside it in the same context, such as placing the hand on the thigh and greeting those on the right and left.
Supporting text
A dissenting opinion, supported by a narration from Al-Qadi and attributed as the sounder view by some, holds that the second tasleemah is obligatory. This is evidenced by the Hadith of Jabir ibn Samurah, and the Prophet's consistent practice of performing both. Furthermore, it is argued that since the prayer has two ways of exiting (two tasleemahs), both should be obligatory, similar to the two exits from Hajj. Imam Ahmad's position is interpreted by some as favoring two tasleemahs as being sounder according to the Prophet's actions, although he also preferred the narration of Ibn Mas'ud, which supports a less rigid view on the requirement.