Islam Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for Muslims, experts in Islam, and those interested in learning more about Islam. It only takes a minute to sign up.
Sign up to join this community
I have noticed that many Muslim brothers including Sunni as well as Dawoodi Bohra turn their faces towards right and then left after 2nd rakat of namaz, saying Assalamualaykum wa rehmatullahi wa barakatahu.
This is not the case with Shia ithna ashari brothers, they do not turn their faces away from Qiblah.
May I know the reason behind it, along with references as I need to understand whether I should turn my face or not?
The Sunni tradition is based on the following ahadith:
https://sunnah.com/muslim/5/153:
(22)Chapter: The salam to exit the prayer when one has finished and how it is done
'Amir b. Sa'd reported:
I saw the Messenger of Allah (may peace be open him) pronouncing taslim on his right and on his left till I saw the whiteness of his cheek.
https://sunnah.com/nasai/12/114:
(83)Chapter: The Takbir when sitting up from prostration
It was narrated from 'Abdur-Rahman bin Al-Aswad from his father-and Alqamah-that:
Abdullah said: "I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say the Takbir every time he went down and got up, or stood or sat; he said the Salam on his right and his left: 'As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatulah (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah ),' until the whiteness of his cheek could be seen." He said: "And I saw Abu Bakr and 'Umar, may Allah (SWT) be pleased with them both, doing the same."
https://sunnah.com/abudawud/2/607:
(340)Chapter: Regarding The Salam
Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas'ud:
The Prophet (ﷺ) used to give the salutation to his left and right sides until the whiteness of his cheek was seen, (saying: "Peace be upon you, and mercy of Allah" twice.AbuDawud said: This is a version of the tradition reported by AbuSufyan. The version of Isra'il did not explain it. AbuDawud said: This tradition has been narrated by Zubayr from AbuIshaq and Yahya ibn Adam from Isra'il from AbuIshaq from AbdurRahman ibn al-Aswad from his father from Alqamah on the authority of Abdullah ibn Mas'ud. AbuDawud said: Shu'bah used to reject this tradition, the tradition narrated by AbuIshaq as coming from the Prophet (ﷺ).
And many more similar ones.
