Assalamualaikum to the neighbour

This afternoon we took a short walk. Passing a neighbour's house, she greeted us. Suddenly Baby Mo waved and said "samlekum" — his lisped version of assalamualaikum.

Abi never sat down to teach "say salam." But every time I enter the house, I say salam out loud. Every time I meet someone. Turns out those little ears record everything.

Salam is a prayer: may peace be upon you. Teaching a child to spread salam is teaching him to scatter goodness to people he doesn't even know yet. That's a seed of warmth that grows for a lifetime.

Spread salam (peace) amongst yourselves.

The neighbour beamed, and Abi quietly prayed: may this little wave become a big habit.