As-salamu 'alaykum: how to greet and reply
The greeting of Islam is a prayer for peace. Spreading it is a Sunnah that builds love between people, and replying to it is a duty.
وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٖ فَحَيُّواْ بِأَحۡسَنَ مِنۡهَآ أَوۡ رُدُّوهَآۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٍ حَسِيبًا ﴿٨٦﴾
Waitha huyyeetum bitahiyyatin fahayyoo biahsana minha aw ruddooha inna Allaha kana ʿala kulli shayin haseeban
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
Quran 4:86 · Surah An-Nisa · Translation: Saheeh International · Transliteration: Tanzil.net
The greeting and the reply
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلَامُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
Wa 'alaykumus-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
man greeted the Prophet ﷺ with "as-salamu 'alaykum" and he said: ten (rewards). Another added "wa rahmatullah": twenty. A third added "wa barakatuh": thirty (Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi).
Why spread salam
You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I tell you something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salam among yourselves.
Sahih Muslim
Who greets first?
- The one riding greets the one walking, the one walking greets the one sitting, the smaller group greets the larger (al-Bukhari, Muslim).
- The younger greets the older (al-Bukhari).
- Whoever enters greets those inside, also at home.
Starting the greeting is Sunnah; replying is obligatory. In a group, one reply is enough for all.
In writing and in other situations
- A written salam, in a message or letter, is answered too.
- Do not greet someone who is relieving themselves, and do not interrupt someone reciting the Quran with a greeting.
Greeting non-Muslims
Scholars differ. Many allow greeting non-Muslims with a general greeting or with salam; when a non-Muslim greets you with salam, reply with wa 'alaykum, as in the hadith (al-Bukhari, Muslim), or with the full reply, as many contemporary scholars allow.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you write the reply to Assalamu alaikum?
Wa alaikum assalam, or in full: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
Can women and men greet each other?
Yes, with respect and without anything inappropriate. The Prophet ﷺ greeted a group of women (at-Tirmidhi), and Umm Hani' greeted him (al-Bukhari).
This article was written with the help of AI. Quran verses are inserted directly from the Quran text (translation: Saheeh International); it is general information, not a religious ruling (fatwa). For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar. Found a mistake? Write to support@hadaff.de.