Question Summary
Is it required to intend the Angels and those present when saying Salam in the prayer?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
Saying the Salam at the end of the prayer is necessary. However, intending the Angels and those present is merely recommended. Therefore the Salam remains valid despite not having such intention.
[Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]
The wisdom behind intending the Angels and all those present in the prayer during the salam is that when one prays, whether alone or in a congregation; the Angels join them in prayer.
Imam Malik narrates from Sa’id bin al-Musayyab that he used to say, “Whoever prays in a deserted land an Angel prays with them on their right and another on their left. If he calls the adhan (call to prayer) and the iqama, Angels like that of mountains pray behind them.” [Ahmad]
This narration also shows the importance of calling the adhan and the iqama even when praying alone.
Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani