How to Greet in Islam

In our era of globalization, we often come into contact with people different from us. This is particularly true in international business settings. Want to greet a Muslim respectfully? A few simple rules will help you do that.

1Use the Salam greeting when meeting a Muslim. Greet a Muslim as they would greet one another.

Use the phrase “As-Salam-u-Alaikum” (“Peace be unto you”).[1]
This is pronounced “as-saa-laam-muu-ah-lay-kum.”

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You might also choose to use the longer greeting of “As-Salam-u-Alaikum wa-rahmatullahi wa-barakatuh” (“Peace be unto you and so may the mercy of Allah and his blessings”).
The pronunciation is “us-saa-laam-muu-alie-kum waa-rah-ma-tull-laa-hee wa-bara-kaa-tu-hu.”

Do not expect the Salam greeting from a Muslim. Traditionally, the Salam greeting is reserved for those of the Muslim faith, so if you are not Muslim, you might not receive this greeting.[2]

Some current Islamic scholars believe that, in the interest of global peace and understanding, it is permitted to initiate the Salam greeting with non-Muslims.
If you do receive the Salam greeting, respond with “wa-Alaikumussalam wa-Rahmatullah.”
The pronunciation is “waa-alie-kum-us-salam waa-rah-ma-tull-la”
The meaning is “May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.”[3]
The longer response is “waa-alai-kum-us-salam-wa-rahma-tall-ahi-wa-ba-ra-ka-tu”.