Wa alaykumu s-salam

Wa ʿalaykumu s-salam (وَعَلَيْكُم ٱلسَّلَامُ) is an Arabic greeting often used by Muslims around the world translating to "and upon you be peace". It is a blessing given to another. It is the standard response to the As-salamu alaykum (ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ) greeting. 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. The complete form is "Wa ʿalaykumu s-salāmu wa-raḥmatu -llāhi wa-barakātuh^ū" (وَعَلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ, "And upon you be peace, as well as the mercy of God and his blessings").

Literary meaning

"Salam" literally means "peace". In a wider sense "salam" means harmlessness, safety and protection from evil and from faults. As-Salaam is also one of the names of God in Islam.

Islamic rules related to the use of salaam

The greeting should be used both when arriving and when leaving. It was reported by Abu Hurayrah:

"When one of you comes to an assembly, he should give a salam and if he feels inclined to get up, he should give a salam, for the former is not more of a duty than the latter."

— Sunan Abi Dawud, 5208

According to hadith, 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

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

Religious scholars differ as to whether Muslims may initiate the saying of salaam to members of other faiths. The Qur'an 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).

Non-Muslims

The use of the greeting differs when interacting with non-Muslims such as people of the book (ahlul kitab). Some scholars are divided on the issue. Most believe that when greeted by non-Muslims, Muslims can only respond by stating "wa ʿalaykum" ("and upon you") instead of the longer version, while others suggest replying with a salam. However, it seems that the majority opinion is reinforced by ahadith:

"If the people of the Scripture greet you, then you should say (in reply), 'Wa'alaikum (And on you)." — Sahih Bukhari; Vol. 8, Book 74, No. 275

"If one of the People of the Scripture (i.e. Christians and Jews) greets you saying As-Salaamu `alaykum, then say (to him): Wa `alaykum (And upon you)." — Hisn al-Muslim, 227

It is also impermissible for Muslims to initiate greetings with non-Muslims before they are greeted by them:

"Do not greet the Jews and the Christians before they greet you and when you meet any one of them on the roads force him to go to the narrowest part of it." — Sahih Muslim, 2167a

Usage

In other languages

Language(s)	Term
Bengali	ওয়া'আলাইকুমুস-সালাম
Indonesian, Malay	wa'alaikumussalam
Pashto	وعليکم السلام
Thai	วะอะลัยกุมุสซะลาม

See also

• Peace be upon him
• Peace be with you
• Shalom aleichem