What is the meaning of the name of Allah, ‘as-Salaam’?

The name ‘as-Salam’ can only be found in one place in the Qur’an: Surah Hashr, 59:23.

“…the Sovereign, the Holy, the Bestower of Peace,…”

Linguistically speaking, it is derived from salaam or salaamah. So the meaning is: free from defects, safe and wellbeing.

When a person gives the greeting “Assalaamu Alaykum”, it means one is informing his fellow believers that they are free and safe from any hostility from his side. With respect to Allah, this name has a two-fold meaning:

1. Allah is free from any defects and deficiencies, like al Quddus.
2. He will greet the believers in Paradise with salaam as He has said in Surah Yasin, 36:58

“Peace, a greeting from the Most Merciful Lord.”