Wa alaykumu s-salam
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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.[1][2] 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.[1] The complete form is "Wa ʿalaykumu s-salāmu wa-raḥmatu -llāhi wa-barakātuhū
" (وَعَلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ, "And upon you be peace, as well as the mercy of God and his blessings").
Literary meaning
[edit]"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.[3]
Islamic rules related to the use of salaam
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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[4]
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[5]
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[6]
Religious scholars differ as to whether Muslims may initiate the saying of salaam to members of other faiths.[7] 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).[8]
Usage
[edit]In other languages
[edit]| Language(s) | Term |
|---|---|
| Bengali | ওয়া'আলাইকুমুস-সালাম |
| Indonesian, Malay | wa'alaikumussalam |
| Pashto | وعليکم السلام |
| Thai | วะอะลัยกุมุสซะลาม |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "'As-Salaam-Alaikum' and 'Wa-Alaikum-Salaam'". Ccnmtl.columbia.edu. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- ^ "Islamic Phrases: Assalamu alaikum". Islam.about.com. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- ^ "Etiquettes of Greeting". Iris.org.nz. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- ^ "Sunan Abi Dawud 5208 - General Behavior (Kitab Al-Adab) - كتاب الأدب - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)". sunnah.com. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ As Salaamu Alaikom?
- ^ "Surat An-Nur [24:61] - The Noble Qur'an - القرآن الكريم". Quran.com. Retrieved 27 July 2013., Quran Surah An-Noor ( Verse 61 )
- ^ "Rules of Greeting non-Muslims in Islam (Saying Salaam/Replying Salaam)". virtualmosque.com. 5 June 2008. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
- ^ al-Nisa’ 4:86, Quran Surah An-Nisaa ( Verse 86 )