adab part 2

Etiquettes of greeting

I wanted to mention this one next, as it may be tempting not to give salaam to muslims in some settings, for example work, in case it is seen as unprofessional. I have come across people like this.. and I always say at least our greetings mean something. There is a point to it all. As there was with the English word “good bye” which used to be “God be with you” but of course most people today just use it as a means of closing the conversation in a friendly way. Offering salaams can do that too of course, but it can also do so much more. We should be thankful we have such an easy way of gaining reward, whilst at the same time sending peace on someone and being nice and friendly all at the same time:)

All notes taken from a course entitled adab in islam (please see intro under adab section for further details)

Before islam, there were many types of greeting, but the greeting of salaam came from Allah.
you are supplicating for the person and so you should offer salaam with the intention of making dua for that person.

assalaamualaiKUM- collective as you are also giving dua to angels on each shoulder, and will also receive three blessings in reply.


To give salaam is sunnah muakida according to some scholars. When you are greeted with salaam, reply with a greeting which is equal or better. This is a command from the Qur’an. It is wajib to respond to a salaam.


The one who initiates the salaam is better then the one who responds. And it is always better to make the first move as it removes doubts and assumptions a person may have of you, eg thinking you may be proud, wondering if you are muslim etc.


When you enter or leave your home, greet your family, whether make or female, with the symbol of Islam.
And ones family is the most worthy of receiving salaam.

Say salaam when entering and leaving a gathering.

There are certain times when it is makrooh to say salaam eg when they are eating, in the bathroom, reciting or teaching.
That is, when a person is engaged and you would disturb them.

If someone sends you salaam through someone else, the reply is alaikum wa alaikum salaam, so that you are sending salaam to the person who sent you the salaam, as well as the correspondent.

If someone sends salaam in writing, eg email or text, then reply, although it is not necessary to do so, as you can reply verbally when reading.


So, do not go with greetings that are fashionable, whether in Arabic or English, or any other language. Rather it is better to stick with the sunnah of saying salaam, and blessing and making dua for the correspondent.