What is assalam walekum?
Assalamu Alaikum
Assalamu alaikum (Arabic: ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمُ, as-salāmu ʿalaykum, [as.saˈlaːmu ʕaˈlajkum]) is an Arabic greeting that means "Peace be upon you." It is a standard greeting among Muslims, whether religious or cultural.
- Meaning and Usage: It is a salutation invoking peace and safety upon the person being greeted. The complete greeting is As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh (ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ), which translates to "Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings."
- Response: The appropriate response to Assalamu alaikum is Wa alaikum assalam (وَعَلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ, wa ʿalaykumu s-salām), meaning "And upon you be peace." The complete response would be Wa alaikum assalam wa-rahmatullahi wa-barakatuh (وَعَلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ)
- Significance: The greeting is considered a Sunnah (recommended practice) in Islam, and it is more than just a polite phrase. It embodies a wish for the recipient's well-being and signifies a bond of brotherhood and sisterhood among Muslims.
- Variants: There are variations in pronunciation and spelling depending on the region, but the core meaning remains the same.
- Cultural Importance: The greeting transcends religious boundaries and is often used in many Muslim-majority countries as a general greeting, even among people of different faiths.
- Islamic Etiquette: In Islam, initiating the greeting is encouraged, as it is seen as a means of earning rewards and fostering goodwill.
Here are the important subjects as links: