The Manner of the Closing Salam in Prayer

Question:
This brother, the questioner Ahmad Abdullah, an Egyptian resident in Riyadh, says: Your Eminence, what is the manner of the salam at the end of the prayer? Does one say: "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah" quickly to the right, "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah" to the left, and do so quickly? Or does it end with the completion of the salam phrase?

Answer:
No. He says it calmly, he gives the salam calmly: "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah, As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah," in a normal manner without any strain. This is the Sunnah. There is no excessive speed and no excessive length; it is moderate. "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah, As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah." As for "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah," one does not prolong it. No. As for haste, as if he is being chased, as if he is being driven out, no. Moderate. Yes.