ASSALAM ALAIKUM – GREETINGS IN ISLAM

In Islam, exchanging greetings has big rewards in both this life and the hereafter. To understand its importance, you have first to realize its meaning and rules.

Islam covers every aspect of life; it is not a religion that is only practiced once a week or during specific celebrations.  Islam, through the words of God in the Quran, and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, offers advice and guidance from dawn till dusk, from birth until death.  Islam even teaches the believers the best way to greet each other; it is a complete way of life.

What does it mean?

1. Saying “As- Salam-U- Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh” means a guarantee that I will not harm you, as it is a very strong bond of security and peace.
2. It is also a kind of invocation, as you pray Allah to make this person in peace in his mind, his body, his social life …etc.  
3. Islam encourages its followers to spread greetings among themselves, as the Prophet (PBUH) said:

O people, exchange greetings of peace (i.e., say: As-Salamu ‘Alaikum to one another), feed people, strengthen the ties of kinship, and be in prayer when others are asleep, you will enter Jannah in peace.”

* First, It protects one’s heart from envy, as the Prophet (PBUH) said: 

By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you shall not believe until you love one another. May I inform you of something, if you do, you love each other. Promote greeting amongst you (by saying As-salamu ‘alaikum to one another).”

Those who are nearest to Allah are they who are first to give a salutation.”

Etiquettes of Islamic greeting: 1- Saying  “As- Salam-U- Alaikum” in a heard voice, that an awake person can hear and in the same time doesn’t’ annoy the asleep, as Al-Miqdad reported:  “We used to reserve for the Prophet his share of the milk, and he would come at night and offer greetings in such a manner as did not disturb those asleep and was heard only by those who were awake.”

How should I reply to “Assalamu Alaikum”?

Well you can answer:

Alaikum as-salam عليكم السلام or wa alaikum as-salam وعليكم السلام

Both are perfectly fine and good answers!

Also available are the singular forms:

• 'alaika as-salam عليك السلام and
• wa 'alaika as-salam وعليك السلام

and also to repeat with the same word

• 'alaika as-salam السلام عليك ... etc. all this five expressions can be referenced from the sunna, even if i only referenced one!

But what you should never do is greet or begin greeting by saying 'alaika ('alaikum) as-salam see here. Note that this has it's origin in Arabic costumes of the time as they used to greet or send a greeting to a dead person this way, as the poet said:

عليك سلام الله قيس بن عاصم * ورحمته ما شاء أن يترحما
فما كان قيس هلكه هلك واحد * ولكنه بنيان قوم تهدما

while the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in his sunna also used the wording with "as-Salaamu alaikum السلام عليكم أهل دار قوم مؤمنين" when visiting the gravyard. So according to a quote of al-Khattabi in tuhfat al ahodi (a commentary on sunan at-Tirmidhi) on this hadith. Muslims don't make a difference between greeting dead and living people.

The only difference between the two possibilities you mentioned is the letter/character "Waw" or "wa", "و" this additional character gives a direct answer to the greeting, as when you say

• as-salamu 'alaikum = peace be upon you

you express a kind of wish, therefore saying

• wa 'alaikum as-salam = peace be upon you too or literally translated and peace be upon you
• ('alaikum as-salam = peace be upon you)

As an answer makes a small but meaningful difference! As you somehow "include" the greeting of the other person in your answer!

And Allah knows best!