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.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Greeting a Muslim if you are a Non-Muslim

Download Article

1
Use the Salam greeting when meeting a Muslim. Greet a Muslim as they would greet one another.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Use the phrase "As-Salam-u-Alaikum" ("Peace be unto you").^{[2]XResearch source}
- This is pronounced “as-saa-laam-muu-ah-lay-kum.”
- 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.”
2
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.^{[3]XResearch source}
- 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."^{[4]XResearch source}
- The longer response is "waa-alai-kum-us-salam-wa-rahma-tall-ahi-wa-ba-ra-ka-tu".
Advertisement
3
Expect a Muslim to return the Salam greeting. If greeted with the Salam greeting, a Muslim will respond to a non-Muslim with the return greeting ("wa-Alaikumussalam wa-Rahmatullah").
- It is obligatory for a Muslim to return the Salam greeting, regardless of the religion of the other person. To refuse this is against their religion.
- According to the Qu'ran (Muslim holy text), the Salam greeting has been mandatory since the creation of Adam and is commanded by Allah.
- Some Muslims may only return your greeting with "wa alaikum". If that's the case, It's their religious matter and has to do with the historic setting of Medina (Holy city of Muslims). It's narrated that in Prophet Muhammad's PBUH time some non-Muslims greeted Muslims with "assam o alaikum (destruction be upon you); a close Arabic rhyme with salam ", then they returned the greeting with "wa alaikum". The practice is still in use today.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Shaking Hands

Download Article

1
Shake hands with male Muslims if you are male. It is common for Muslim men to shake hands.
- There is generally no prohibition against men shaking hands with other men.
- The exception is some Shia Muslims prohibit shaking hands with any non-Muslims.
- Do not be offended if a Muslim declines to shake your hand. It isn’t a personal affront but a reflection of their religious beliefs.
2
Do not shake hands with female Muslims if you are male. While there is debate on the appropriateness of female Muslims shaking hands with men, you should not do so unless she initiates the contact.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Many Muslim women do not shake hands with men due to religious prohibitions against a woman being touched by a man outside of her family.
- Some Muslim women, especially those working in corporate environments, might shake hands with men.
- Some Muslim women wear gloves in order to get around the prohibition against touching a male who is not a relative.
3
Do not shake hands with male Muslims if you are female. Regardless of your religious beliefs, you should not reach for a male Muslim’s hand unless he initiates the contact.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Pious Muslim men do not touch women outside of their family (wives, daughters, mothers, etc.)
- Refraining from touching a woman she is not related to is considered a gesture of respect and modesty.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Greeting a Fellow Muslim

Download Article

1
Greet your fellow Muslim by wishing them peace. One should always greet a fellow Muslim.^{[7]XResearch source}
- "As-Salam-u-Alaikum" is the most common greeting among Muslims.
- This is the minimum required when greeting a Muslim.
- It is permissible to use the minimum greeting when time is short, such as when passing each other on the street.
- Add “wa-rahmatullahi wa-barakatuh” to complete the greeting.
2
Remember that Allah commands that Muslims greet one another. Be mindful of the rules governing who initiates the greeting.
- The one who comes greets the Muslims that are present.
- The one who is riding greets the one who is walking.
- The one who is walking greets the one who is sitting.
- The smaller group greets the bigger group.
- The young greet the elders.
- Say the Salam greeting when arriving and leaving a gathering.^{[8]XResearch source}
3
Return the greeting. Always acknowledge the greeting by giving a response.
- Respond with "wa Alaikum Assalam wa Rahmatullah."^{[9]XResearch source}
- It is permissible to respond only with the first part ("wa Alaikum Assalam").

Greetings in Islam and Translations

Sample Greetings in Islam

Sample Greetings in Islam and Translations

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
What if you say the greeting wrong?
Sobi
Top Answerer
If you say the greeting wrong, the meaning is changed, but if it is done unintentionally, it is an innocent error. Take caution when saying it to make sure you say it correctly.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 24 Helpful 106
Question
How do I say "how are you"?
Community Answer
Simply say, "Kayfa haluk?" It is not Muslim-specific, it is a Standard Arabic expression, and you can address it to Arab Muslims and non-Muslims.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 40 Helpful 136
Question
How do I say 'good day'?
Community Answer
Simply say "Good day" (in whatever language). Muslims are not averse to socialising. We believe that all people are the same and equal, and that we live in different cultures and know several languages. "Good day" has no specific phrase in religion, if you speak with Arabic person you can say Yaum Saied, but remember not all Muslims are Arab, and not all Arabs are Muslims.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 36 Helpful 164

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Muslim children should also be greeted with the Salaam, so that they become acquainted with Islamic manners.
Thanks
Helpful33 Not Helpful7
As a Muslim, if you are speaking with non-Muslim people from all around the world, you can use hello, good morning, etc, or the common greeting of the land.
Thanks
Helpful29 Not Helpful7
Say Salam to strangers as well as people you know.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful1

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of How.com.vn readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on How.com.vn, please submit it in the field below.

The Quran says, "When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally." So when you are returning an Islamic greeting, make sure to return it with a version that is longer or as long as the version you were greeted with, to be polite.

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!