Wa ʿalaykumu s-salam is an Arabic greeting often used by Muslimsaround the worldtranslating 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 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".
"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.
Use for non-Muslims
Religious scholars differ as to whether Muslims may initiate the saying of Salaam to members of other faiths. The Quran says: "When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or return it equally" Ibn al-Qayyim said: if the person is certain that the Dhimmi 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 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. 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.
Islamic rulings related to the use of Salam
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.” According to hadith the Islamic prophetMuhammad was asked who should "begin" the salam greeting and he said: 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:
