As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم) is an Arabic spoken greeting, often translated as Peace be upon you.

Usage

• In Arabia, the greeting is associated with shaking right hand and then possibly two or three light cheek to cheek kisses (only between the same gender).

• In Iran, Salām is a simple greeting. This means Peace and Health, and is used similarly to "Hi" in English-speaking cultures.

• In Afghanistan,the greeting is often accompanied with a nod of acknowledgment and a hug when meeting infrequently between the same gender. In Pakistan and in most parts of Afghanistan and India, the greeting is accompanied by raising the right hand to the forehead (arz hai ["regards"]).

• In Indonesia,the greeting is usually accompanied with a kind of two-handed "handshake", whereby the shaker's palms remain closed, and the fingers alone open to admit the other's proffered hand- which briefly touches the proffered's fingers or fingertips alone. In this way more adherent males and females may greet though touching- but remain true to the Islamic or cultural teachings forbidding physical contact between the genders. Occasionally, the right-hand will touch the left-breast or heart area after this

• In Javanese culture, a remnant of feudalism is retained, where an elder's proffered right hand is taken and pressed briefly against the forehead. Some may instead briefly kiss the hand or the main ring. This is very common for young children to greet older relatives (of their parents' age, though on occasion if very polite children, younger). As per Turkey, "slm" is common for teen "SMS" or internet speak.

Some more pious Muslims may say "Selam" and then perform two very brief cheek kisses, or cheek brushes- but only among the same gender.

• In Turkey, many Turkish use this statement and hugs each other, more secular and non-religious people, say "Selam" as an equivalent to "Hello" or "Hi". This use has extended onto the internet with the abbreviated "slm" being commonly used amongst Turks on social networking websites.

• In Amharic , the term "Selam" is used in place of "Tadias" which is the equivalent of "What's up". The word "Selam" has the same meaning in Amharic as in Arabic which is "peace".

Pronunciation

The term As-Salāmu `Alaykum varies slightly in pronunciation from country to country, but always remains universally intelligible. The classical pronunciation of the greeting in Fus'ha (Classical) Arabic is [ʔæsːæˈlæːmʊ ʕɑˈlæɪkʊm] Many people today omit the initial 'As' and pronounce the word as "Salaamu `Alaykum". In many parts of the world, indeed in most of the non-Arabic speaking countries the greeting is pronounced [asalaːmʊ aleɪkʊm] or in a similar variation. This is especially common in Africa, the South Asia, South East Asia and in Eastern Europe. Amongst various Arabic speaking countries there is also a varied pronunciation. In Morocco the greeting is usually pronounced [səleːmu leikum]

Variation

The term in Arabic uses the second person plural, even when used to address one person, similar to the use of vous in French.^{[citation needed]} However the term may also be used addressing a person in the singular form both masculine and feminine, the dual form, or the feminine plural. This is how they are said:

As-Salāmu `Alayk(a) —Peace be upon you (m. sing.)

As-Salāmu `Alayk(i) —Peace be upon you (f. sing)

As-Salāmu `Alayk(uma) —Peace be upon you (to two people of any gender)

As-Salāmu `Alayk(unna) —Peace be upon you (f. plural - to three or more females only)

As-Salāmu `Alayk(um)—Peace be upon you (To a group of three or more people, where at least one is a male - or to a member of state such as a prime minister, president, king, or queen)

The correct classical Arabic response depends on who is addressing you. The same rules apply as above; -ka, -ki, -kuma, -kunna, -kum;
wa alayk(...) as-salām or the more formal: Walakum-us-Salam Wa Rehmatullahi Wa Barakatuh meaning "may Allah's blessings be upon you".

(Note: According to classical Arabic pronunciation, the last vowel in each word is not pronounced unless it is followed by another word.)

Similarly, the word As-Salaam (السلام) may be replaced by Salaamun (سلامٌ). This form of the word is used in a passage of the Qur'an describing the greeting of the Angels towards the inhabitants of Paradise:

And angels shall enter unto them from every gate (saying) Salaamun ‘Alaykum (peace be upon you) for that you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!’— (Ar-Ra'ad 13:23-24)

The form Salaamun `Aleykum is especially used in Turkey, where it is spelled Selamün Aleyküm.

Islamic rulings related to the use of the greeting

It is also preferred to use the greeting when arriving and also when leaving. It was reported that Abu Hurayrah said “When one of you joins a gathering, let him say salaam. When he wants to get up and leave, let him say salaam. The former is not more important than the latter.” (Saheeh - at-Tirmidhi)

• According to hadith the Islamic prophet 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)^[1]

• 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)

• The trend of shortening the greeting to acronyms, such as A.S.,As'kum(in Malaysia) or AsA, is disliked;^{[citation needed]} however, it is becoming common amongst Internet users in chat rooms and by people using SMS. As the full word is not written, it is disliked; however, the meaning is usually understood by the recipient. Other variations of this are adding 'wr wb' at the end as well. This trend is similar to writing (S) or 'SAWS' in place of 'Sallallaahu `Aleyhi wa Sallam'.

See also

• Shalom aleichem
• Sliem għalikom

References

External links

• Audio clip for Salam
• A brief illustrated guide to understanding Islam
• LivingHalal.com Islamic audio project
• Islam Q&A - Fataawa related to the manners of greeting with Salaam
• Islamic glossary