I heard from a Sheikh that it is incorrect to start saying the Salam or Taslim ( السلام عليكم ورحمة الله ) whilst one is turning his head , rather one should start to say the Salam after one has actually turned his head to the right side , and then again after he has turned it to the left. During one of the prayers , I started saying the Salam whilst turning my head , then I remembered ( whilst my head was still on the right side ) that I shouldn't start saying the Salam whilst turning the head , so I said Salam again . Was my prayer valid ? In such a case , should two prostrations be made after Salam ?
Text Answer
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته
These words and descriptions are not clear and they contradict the Hadith of Ibn Masood رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to do the Tasleem on his right and on his left saying
"السلام عليكم ورحمة الله" . The narration says " كَانَ يُسَلِّمُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَعَنْ شِمَالِهِ حَتَّى يُرَى بَيَاضُ خَدِّهِ : " السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ " which means the pronunciation will start when he start turning for the Tasleem.
Also in a practical way you should know that the time taken for pronouncing the Tasleem is longer than the time taken for turning one's head to the right and the left . Therefore , you should begin to pronounce the Salam from the beginning of turning the head and do not return it back straight until you have completed the pronunciation of the Salam. This is how you should do for both sides.
And yes... your prayer is valid إن شاء الله and you dont need to make Sujood Sahw for such matters.
والله أعلم.