Wa alaykumu s-salam

Wa ʿalaykumu s-salam (وَعَلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is an Arabic greeting often used by Muslims around the world translating to "may peace be upon you", but it has a deeper meaning than the often used "hello" or "good day" in English. It is a blessing given to another. It is the standard response to the As-salamu alaykum (ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ) greeting.[1][2] The greetings are intentional communications to acknowledge someone's presence or to make someone feel welcomed. They are used prior to a conversation and are said to be good manners. The greeting is considered an important Islamic duty and obligation. Salam has been a standard salutation among Muslims. The greeting is regularly exchanged during Muslim lectures and sermons.[1] The complete form is "Wa ʿalaykumu s-salāmu wa-raḥmatu -llāhi wa-barakātuhū" (وَعَلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ, "And upon you be peace, as well as the mercy of God and his blessings").

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Literary meaning

"Salam" literally means "peace". The word "Islam" is also derived from it. In a wider sense "salam" means harmlessness, safety and protection from evil and from faults. As-Salaam is also one of the Names of Allah.[3]

Use for non-Muslims

Religious scholars differ as to whether Muslims may initiate the saying of Salaam to members of other faiths.[4] The Quran says: "When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally" [al-Nisa’ 4:86][5]

Ibn al-Qayyim said: if the person is certain that the Dhimmi (Jew or Christian) is clearly saying al-salaamu alaykum to him, and he has no doubts about that, should he say wa alayka al-salaam or shorten it to wa alayk? What is indicated by the evidence and principles of shareeah is that he should say wa alayka al-salaam, because this is more just, and Allaah commands us to be just and to treat others well this does not contradict any of the ahaadeeth on this topic at all, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded us to shorten the greeting to wa alayk because of the reason mentioned above, which is that they deliberately used to say al-saam alaykum instead of al-salaam alaykum, as indicated in the hadeeth narrated by Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her). He said, Do you not see that I say wa alaykum when they say al-saam alaykum? Then he said, If the People of the Book greet you with salaam, say, Wa alaykum.[6]

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It is also preferred to use the greeting when arriving and also when leaving. It was reported that Abu Hurayrah said “When one of you joins a gathering, let him say salaam. When he wants to get up and leave, let him say salaam. The former is not more important than the latter.” (Hasan hadith reported in Jāmi` al-Tirmidhi)[7]

According to hadith the Islamic prophet Muhammad was asked who should "begin" the salam greeting and he said:

"The one who is riding should greet the one who is walking and the one who is walking should greet the one who is sitting and the smaller group should greet the larger group." (Saheeh - Al-Bukhaari, 6234; Muslim, 2160)[8]

It is also stated that one should give the Salam greeting upon entering a house. This is based upon the verse of the Qur'an:

"But when you enter the houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allah (i.e. say: Assalaamu ‘Aleykum — peace be on you), blessed and good." (Al-Noor 24:61)[9]

See also

References
  1. ""As-Salaam-Alaikum" and "Wa-Alaikum-Salaam"". Ccnmtl.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2013-07-27.
  2. "Islamic Phrases: Assalamu alaikum". Islam.about.com. 2013-07-15. Retrieved 2013-07-27.
  3. "Etiquettes of Greeting". Iris.org.nz. Retrieved 2013-07-27.
  4. "Rules of Greeting non-Muslims in Islam (Saying Salaam/Replying Salaam)". virtualmosque.com. 2008-06-05. Retrieved 2016-07-02.
  5. al-Nisa’ 4:86, Quran Surah An-Nisaa ( Verse 86 )
  6. "How should we return the greeting of salaam from a non-Muslim? - Islam Question & Answer". islamqa.info. Retrieved 2019-08-28.
  7. Sheikh Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid. "Is it mustahabb for one who gets up to leave a gathering to say salaam to those who are still sitting?".
  8. As Salaamu Alaikom?
  9. "Surat An-Nur [24:61] - The Noble Qur'an - القرآن الكريم". Quran.com. Retrieved 2013-07-27., Quran Surah An-Noor ( Verse 61 )
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