Greetings from Non Muslim

Can a Muslim greet non-Muslims with “Assalamu alaykum” (meaning “peace be with you”) or reply with the greeting of peace (“wa ‘alaykum salam”)?

There is a misconception among many Muslims who think that a Muslim cannot wish ‘Assalamu Alaykum’ to a Non-Muslim nor can he reply to the salutation.

Muslim scholars have differed in their responses to this question based on whether they consider the context of the hadith concerned as restricting the meanings of these hadith or not.

According to Imam Awza’i: "If you say salaam (to the non-Muslims), then surely (some) pious people did the same, and if you don’t, indeed, (some) pious people did not either.”

While most scholars have concluded that responding to the greetings of peace is compulsory, they differed on the initiating of such greetings and on their wordings.

Regarding initiating greetings to anyone, the Qur’an (24:27) says: “O you who believe, do not enter houses other than yours without first announcing your presence and invoking peace (saying salaam) upon the folk thereof. That is better for you, that you may be heedful”. See also Qur’an 25:63, 43:88-89, 28:55, etc. 

Likewise, in a hadith narrated in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was once asked: “What aspect of Islam is among the best?” He replied “Giving food (to the needy) and saying salaam to whom you know and whom you know not”.

In another hadith from Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) also said: “Spread the greeting of peace.” These texts appear to be general in their meaning and not restricted to greetings with Muslims only.

Some scholars have quoted certain hadith to say that a Muslim may not initiate the greetings of peace (salams) to non-Muslims. This hadith was narrated on a specific occasion where the Prophet was ordering the Muslims to attack the Ahl al-Kitab (Jews) of Banu Qurayzah who had treacherously broken their treaty with the Muslims and tried to collaborate with the pagan enemies to wipe out the Muslims in Medina.

The Prophet is reported to have said in the fuller version of the hadith narrated by Ahmad and Tabarani: “We are going forth in the morning against a group of Jews, so do not initiate the greeting of ‘Peace’ with them”.

The context of the hadith was apparently specific to a hostile group of Jews and not to all non-Muslims. It was reported that Abu Umamah Al-Bahily used to say “salaam” (greetings) to whoever he passed by, Muslim or non-Muslim, and used to say,"It is a greeting for the people of our religion, and an assurance of security to our non-Muslim citizens, and a Name among the Names of Allah we spread among ourselves".

The great Companion of the Prophet, Abdullah bin Mas’ud once said the greetings of salaam to a non-Muslim. When asked: “Are we not warned against initiating salaam with them?” He replied: “It is a right of companionship”.

Regarding responding to greetings, the general teaching of the Qur’an (4:86) is that “…when you are greeted with a greeting, greet (in return) with one which is better than it or (at least) return it (in like manner). Indeed, Allah is ever taking account of all things”. 

In other words Muslims must always try and respond to the greetings of others with something better. Commenting on this verse, Ibn Kathir reported Al-Hasan Al-Basri as saying: “Initiating the salaam is voluntary, but replying to the greeting of salaam is compulsory".

There are however some hadith in Bukhari and Muslims that show that some of the Jews insulted Muslims by saying “As-saamu alaikum” which actually means “death be upon you”. In a hadith narrated by Abdullahi bin ‘Umar, Allah’s Messenger said: “When the Jews greet you, they usually say, ‘As-Saamu alaikum’ (Death be on you), so you should say (in reply to them), ‘wa’alaikum (And on you too).”

This is the context of why the Prophet said Muslims should reply what may sound like the greetings of peace, with “and on you too” as a way of ending the insult. Ibn Mas’ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “Even if Pharaoh (Fir’aun) said good words to me, I would respond to him with similar (good words).”

The late Saudi Sheikh, Abdul-Aziz bin Baaz is also reported to have said: “If a non-Muslim greets us, we respond in the same manner that he/she greets us with. So if one (of the non-Muslims) says: ‘As Salaamu ‘Alaikum’ clearly when greeting us, we respond by saying ‘Alaikum as Salaam’,…”

As greetings belong to the category of social transactions (mu’amalat) and not prescribed worship (ibadah), the general rule is that “everything in greeting is permissible except what is prohibited” by clear and explicit textual evidence of the Qur’an or sunnah, or if it contradicts definite objectives of Shari’ah.

In Qur’an 60:8 we are reminded: “Allah does not forbid you in respect of those who do not fight you because of your religion and do not expel you from your homes – from being righteous and dealing justly towards them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly”.


Wallahu'alam