Is there a report regarding the method of the closing salam in prayer that it begins from the direction of the qiblah and then gestures to the right?

The questioner : Our teacher, what is the method of the closing salam reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in prayer? And is it reported that he (peace and blessings be upon him) began the salam toward the direction of the qiblah, then gestured to the right, and then to the left?

The Shaykh : This detail has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather, he would turn to his right and say: "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah," then turn to his left and say: "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah." As for this detail, it has no basis in the Sunnah. Some schools of jurisprudence, such as the Shafi'i school, hold this view, but it is not reported in the Sunnah.

The questioner : Our teacher, regarding the right side, is there a sermon or explanation about this matter? Or is there a sermon, for example, about the right and the left, meaning it is intended regarding the angels?

The Shaykh : It is said that he greets the Muslims on his right and the angels on his shoulders. As for mentioning the angels here, it also has no basis. Likewise, when he greets on the left, he intends the worshippers on his left and the angels on his left shoulder.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : However, mentioning the angels, whether on the right or the left, is not reported in the Sunnah.