How to Greet a Muslim
Greetings are a universal way of showing respect and establishing rapport. Each greeting ritual has its own unique meaning and significance in different cultures.
For others, it’s an act of welcoming each other, but the Islamic greeting, commonly known as “Salaam” meaning Peace, brings the exchange of peace and blessings along with expiation of sins among fellow Muslims.
This article outlines proper Muslim greetings in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah. If you’re not Muslim, this article includes various appropriate ways to greet your fellow Muslims.
Ways to Greet a Muslim
- You can greet a Muslim by saying “As-Salam-u-Alaikum” ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ which means “Peace be unto you”. This is the most popular Sunnah greeting among Muslims.
- Or you can say “As-Salam-u-Alaikum Wa-Rahmat-Ullahi Wa-Barakatuh”اَلسَلامُ عَلَيْكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اَللهِ وَبَرَكاتُهُ which means “Peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings”.
- When encountering a Muslim, you can also use “Salaam” alone as a greeting. “Salaam” is a short form of “As-Salam-u-Alaikum” is often used by non-Muslims to greet Muslim fellows.
- Shaking hands is also customary among Muslim males. But you cannot shake hands with the opposite gender.
- You can also just simply say Good day, Hi, or Hello Muslims are not averted to socializing.
- In an Islamic country, you can also greet Muslims using their regional phrases.
How to Reply to Greetings
Islam recommends recipient of the greeting return it in a similar or better manner.
Allah (may He be exalted) says:
“And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner]. Indeed, Allah is ever, over all things, an Accountant.”
[an-Nisaa’ 4:86] Source: Tafsir Surah An-Nisa – 86 – Quran.com
The standard reply to “As-Aalam-o-Alaikum” is “Wa-Alaikum-Salaam,” meaning “And unto you peace”.
Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported in Al-Bukhari and Muslim:
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, “This is Jibril (Gabriel), is conveying you greetings of peace.” I responded: “Wa’ Alaihis-Salamu Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu (May peace be upon him and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings).” Source: The Book of Greetings – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)
How to Pronounce Islamic Greetings
Salam is preferred To be said in ways as prescribed by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) so that one who doesn’t have sound knowledge of the Arabic language can avoid innovation and use of incorrect terms, as it was reported by
Abu Juraiy Al-Hujaimi (May Allah be pleased with him) that:
I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: “Alaikas-Salamu ya Rasulallah! (Upon you be peace, O Messenger of Allah)!” He said, “Do not say: ‘Alaikas-Salamu (Upon you be peace).’ This is the Salam to the dead.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi] Source: Riyad as-Salihin 856 – The Book of Greetings – كتاب السلام – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)
The most encouraged manner of greeting is by saying “As-Salam-u’ Alaikum-wa-Rahmat-ullahi-wa Barakatuhu,” as reported by
‘Imran bin Husain (May Allah be pleased with them):
“A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: “As-Salamu’ Alaikum (May peace be upon you). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) responded to his greeting, and the man sat down. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Ten (meaning the man had earned the merit of ten good deeds).” Another one came and said: “As-Salamu’ Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah” May peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah).” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) responded to his greeting, and the man sat down. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Twenty.” A third one came and said: “As-Salamu’ Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu” “May peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings.” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) responded to his greeting, and the man sat down. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Thirty.”
[Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi] Source: Riyad as-Salihin 850 – The Book of Greetings – كتاب السلام – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)
Importance of Greetings in Islam
In Islam, the greeting is considered an important act of social etiquette and a means of showing respect and kindness to others.
Allah in Holy Qur’an says:
“And when you are greeted with a salutation, greet with one better than it, or return the same“.
[Surah An-Nisa, Verse 4:86] Source: The Book of Greetings – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of greeting others by saying that “Those who are nearest to Allah are they who are first to give a salutation.”
[Abu Dawud And At- Tirmidhi] Source: Riyad as-Salihin 855 – The Book of Greetings – كتاب السلام – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)
Allah Tallah has commanded Muslims to greet each other by using the phrase “Al-salamu’ Alaykum”, which means “may the blessings of his name (al-salam-Name of Allah) descend upon you”.
The greeting is inclusive, as indicated by the preposition “ala” in “Alaykum” (means- upon you).
The proper greeting is also a way of building and maintaining relationships in the Muslim community. It helps to foster a sense of unity, brotherhood, and respect among Muslims.
In addition to verbal greetings, Islam also teaches the importance of physical gestures, such as smiling, as a sign of warmth and affection towards others.
Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said, “Smiling in the face of your brother (another) is an act of charity”
[Tirmidhi, Book 27, Hadith 62] Source: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1956 – Chapters on Righteousness And Maintaining Good Relations With Relatives – كتاب البر والصلة عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)
Overall, greeting in Islam is not just a mere formality but an essential part of Muslim culture that promotes kindness, respect, and social harmony. For Muslims, greetings are the easiest way to earn good deeds.
Manners of Greetings in Islam
Islam is a practical religion, and Allah Tallah has provided us through Prophets (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them) with a complete guide on how to implement its rulings in our daily life.
This is why a complete set of etiquette were practiced by Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his companions to guide us.
Manners of greeting in the light of Hadith are:
Try to be the First One to Greet
The narration in At-Tirmidhi is: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked: “O Messenger of Allah! When two persons meet, who should greet the other first?” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “The person nearest to Allah (i.e., one who is more obedient and therefore closer to Allah will say: As-Salam first).”
[At-Tirmidhi] Source: The Book of Greetings – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)
Try to Greet First Upon Arrival
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, ‘A rider should greet a pedestrian; a pedestrian should greet one who is sitting; and a small group should greet a large group (of people).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Source: The Book of Greetings – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)
Younger Ones Should Greet Elders First Out of Respect
The narration in Al-Bukhari adds: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “The young should greet the elderly.”
Also, elders should encourage children by greeting them first.
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he passed by some children and greeted them. Then he said:
“Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to do the same.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Source: The Book of Greetings – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)
Greeting Out Loud While Entering Your House
Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me, “Dear son when you enter your house, say As- Salamu’ Alaikum to your family, for it will be a blessing both to you and to your family.”
[At-Tirmidhi]. Source: The Book of Greetings – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)
Other Manners to Remember
- Muslim women or men would not embrace or shake the hand of the opposite gender.
- It is respectful to only give a verbal greeting to a Muslim woman.
- Islam forbids a greeting that involves prostrating.
- Do not murmur under your breath when saying “Salaam” because the point of the greeting is for the other person to hear it.
- Greet your Muslim brother with a Sunnah way of greeting instead of Hello, Hi, Good Morning/ Evening. These greetings can be followed after “As-Salaam-O-Alaikum”.
Different Occasions of Greeting in Islam
There are various occasions where greeting is considered an important act of social etiquette. Some of the different occasions of greeting in Islam are:
Daily Greetings
Muslims are encouraged to greet each other with the Islamic greeting of “As-salaam-u-alaikum” (peace be upon you) on a daily basis. This greeting can be used at any time of the day and is a way of showing respect and kindness towards others.
Eid Greetings
During the two major Islamic festivals of Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha, Muslims exchange greetings and well wishes with each other. The common greeting used during these occasions is “Eid Mubarak”, which means “Blessed Eid”.
Friday Prayer Greetings
Muslims are encouraged to greet each other with “As-salaam-u-alaikum” before and after the Friday congregational prayer. This is a way of building and maintaining relationships within the Muslim community.
Hajj Greetings
During the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Muslims from around the world greet each other with the Islamic greeting of “As-salaam-u-alaikum” as a sign of brotherhood and unity.
Wedding Greetings
In Muslim weddings, it is customary for guests to greet the bride and groom with words of blessings and congratulations. The Islamic greeting of “As-salaam-u-alaikum” can also be used during this occasion.
Funeral Greetings
In times of bereavement, Muslims offer condolences and sympathy to the family of the deceased. The common greeting used during this occasion is “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un”, which means “Verily we belong to Allah, and verily to Him do we return.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say hello to a Muslim?
In Arabic, the salutation for Muslims is “As-salaam alaikum”, which translates to “Peace be upon you.”
How should a Muslim greet a non-Muslim?
You can greet non-Muslims by saying only “Assalam” “peace”. Or can greet your non-Muslim fellow following Islamically appropriate regional greeting phrases.
How do Muslims greet and say goodbye?
Muslims greet and say goodbye using regional phrases followed by “As-salaam-u-alaikum”.
Is Salam Alaikum right or wrong?
Saying “As-salaam-u-Alaikum” السلام عليكم is the correct way. It is not recommended to pronounce “Salamu Alaikum” سلامعليكم intentionally. Rest Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best.
Conclusion
Greeting a Muslim is a simple act of kindness that can go a long way in building and maintaining relationships within the Muslim community. By following the etiquette of Islamic greetings, you can show respect, kindness, and warmth towards Muslims, regardless of their background or nationality.
Remember to use the common Islamic greeting of “As-salaam-u-alaikum” ‘peace be upon you’ as a way of initiating the greeting, and respond with “Wa-alaikum-assalam” ‘and peace be upon you too’ to complete the greeting. Additionally, don’t forget to smile while greeting each other!
