[ZonaPutaX]

You know that part at the end of each prayer after the allahuma barikala stuff? Where we turn our head to each side and salaam?

I was wondering if the quran or hadith gives any info on the deeper meaning of it; what it signifies. I've only heard rumours from other muslims (angels, etc..) - but I've never seen it referenced to any hadith or surah before. I don't know what to search :\

[GinaGomesz]

It has been clearly mentioned in the Fiqh text books about the salaam in the prayer:

Hanafi Fiqh

There are three instances; a) Either a person is an Imaam (leading the prayer), b) A Muqtadi (following the Imaam), and c) A Munfarid (reading Salaat individually). When making salaam, the Imaam will make intention for the men, women, children, haemophrodites, angels and the pious Jinnaat. The Muqtadi will make intention for the Imaam on the right if he (the Imaam) is to the right of him and on the left if the Imaam is to the left of him and he will make intention for the Imaam on both sides if he is directly behind the Imaam. He will also make intention for the angels and pious Jinns and the Munfarid will make intention for the angels.
(Tahtawi pg.223)

Shafi Fiqh
CLOSING THE PRAYER WITH SALAMS
fS.47 Then one says the final Salams (n: an
integral). The minimum is to say "as-Salamu
'alaykum" (peace be upon you),andit must Occur
while one is sitting. (0: It is inadequate to say
"Salam 'alaykum" without the first word being
definite (n: i.e. as-Salamu), since this has not
reached us through any hadith texts, and invalidates
the prayer if done intentionally.)
The optimal way is to say, "Peace be upon
you, and the mercy of Allah" (0: though to add
the words "and His grace" (wa barakatuhu) is not
sunna) and to turn the head to the right enough to
show the "right cheek (N: to those behind). One
thereby intends to finish the prayer and intends
greetings of peace to the angels and Muslims
(whether human or jinn (def: w22)) on the right.
One then turns one's head to the left and repeats
the Salam, intending to greet those on the left. A
follower intends one of the two Salams as a
response to the imam's, depending on which side
the imam is on, or if the follower is directly behind
him, he may intend either Salam as a response to
him.
[Umdat As Saalik]