turning head after praying namaz

[Sajid Karim]

Asalamo-alikum,

Can you tell me the correct procedure for ending your namaz with salam. When you turn your head and say 'asalamo alikum warahmatulah' to the right and left do you face your fariste on your shoulder, or do you move your head slightly towards the end of the line as in jamaat at the person at the end, or is this a madhab thing ? I have always turned to my shoulder but i over heard two people discussing against this ? I am hanfi sunni by the way.

[Imam]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

Wa' laykum-as-Salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu.

The correct way of performing salaam, is to turn your head towards the right, while you are in a seated position. Your eyes must be lowered in salaah at all times, therefore your eyes will be looking at your right shoulder. Remember you are sending salaam upon all creation that is on the right , that is present at that time, and the two writing-angels (kiraamann kaatibin) are on each shoulder, so your salaam will go to them also. Similarly you will turn your head and say salaam to the left, as your eyes will be fixed on your left shoulder.
One must not move forward, or turn there head around, or lift his eyes away from the shoulder as he may be distracted from salaah, and this is not the sunnah way of performing salaam, in salaah.

Wallaho a'lamu bithawaab.

M. Waseem Ashrafi