:: Saying Salam to non-muslim ::

Assalam Alaikum,

My friend and I were talking about this topic of returning the greeting of the non-muslim if they were to greet us 'Assalam Alaikum'... I didn't know that we are not supposed to say back 'Wa Alaikum Salam'... Just gotta say 'Wa Alaikum', translated 'and upon you'

Well, I decided to find out myself~

Prophet Muhammad is just such a smartie!!! He knew how to answer cleverly, in reply to cursing from the disbelievers! He's kind and lenient too! We gotta learn from him! Read more Hadiths... Read read read~

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According to Qadhi Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabi (Allah have mercy on him), he states:

“The word Salam is one the good names of Allah Almighty and ‘Assalamu Alaykum’ means: Allah Almighty is your guardian and caretaker. (Ahkam al-Qur’an). Therefore, due to this aspect of Salam, it is generally impermissible to use this form of greeting for non-Muslims.

(Taken from http://www.central-mosque.com/fiqh/salam1.htm)

Narrated Anas bin Malik: A Jew passed by Allah's Apostle and said, "As-Samu 'Alaika." Allah's Apostle said in reply, "We 'Alaika." Allah's Apostle then said to his companions, "Do you know what he (the Jew) has said? He said, 'As-Samu 'Alaika.'" They said, "O Allah's Apostle! Shall we kill him?" The Prophet, said, "No. When the people of the Book greet you, say: 'wa 'alaikum.'"
(Book #84, Hadith #60)

Narrated 'Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) A group of Jews entered upon the Prophet and said, "As-Samu-alaikum." (i.e. death be upon you). I understood it and said, "wa-alaikum As-Samu wal-la'n. (death and the curse of Allah be Upon you)." Allah's Apostle said "Be calm, O 'Aisha! Allah loves that on, should be kind and lenient in all matters." I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Haven't you heard what they (the Jews) have said?" Allah's Apostle said "I have (already) said (to them) "And upon you!"
(Book #73, Hadith #53)

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Mulaika: 'Aisha said that the Jews came to the Prophet and said, "As-Samu 'alaikum" (death be on you). 'Aisha said (to them), "(Death) be on you, and may Allah curse you and shower His wrath upon you!" The Prophet said, "Be calm, O 'Aisha ! You should be kind and lenient, and beware of harshness and Fuhsh (i.e. bad words)." She said (to the Prophet), "Haven't you heard what they (Jews) have said?" He said, "Haven't you heard what I have said (to them)? I said the same to them, and my invocation against them will be accepted while theirs against me will be rejected (by Allah). "
(Book #73, Hadith #57)

W'salam,

Khadijah C.