Islamic greetings!

[se_orcampana]

I’m a devoted Christian who might become a Roman Catholic one day. Your prayers in this matter are appreciated!

Anyway, that aside, I work with quite a few Muslims, and they are good people. I enjoy their company.

My question is this: Being a Christian, is it appropriate to greet them saying, Assalamu alaikum , which means “peace be to you”?

If it’s only a thing Muslims are supposed to do, then I will refrain.

However, I do enjoy showing my Muslim friends respect and good ol’ Christian kindness and connecting with them on a cultural level seems like a very respectful thing to do.

Do I continue to use this greeting?

your thoughts?

Texas Longhorns: #1

 

[exoflare]

It might depend on the individual Muslim, but I don’t think I would risk it with someone I didn’t know. You never know if they might get offended by having their own special Islamic greeting used by one of the kuffar.

EDIT: btw, what country are you in, anyway?

 

[se_orcampana]

exofare,

Supprisingly, I work in a hotel in Houston of all places! :bigyikes:
Believe it or not, Houston has become quite the melting pot over the years.

 

[exoflare]

se~orcampana:

exofare,

Supprisingly, I work in a hotel in Houston of all places! :bigyikes:
Believe it or not, Houston has become quite the melting pot over the years.

I wouldn’t doubt it… I live in Texas as well, and most of the Muslims I’ve met in real life have been from Houston! (not that that’s saying much, I only know a very few…)

 

[inJESUS]

assalamu alaykum was a christian greeting among christian arabs

 

[Ortho]

I lived and worked in Mulsim countries for many years. It is perfectly OK to say Salaam Aleekum.

The proper response is: Wa Aleekum Salaam. That roughly means: And Peace on you, too.

 

[discipleofJesus]

se~orcampana:

I’m a devoted Christian who might become a Roman Catholic one day. Your prayers in this matter are appreciated!

Anyway, that aside, I work with quite a few Muslims, and they are good people. I enjoy their company.

My question is this: Being a Christian, is it appropriate to greet them saying, Assalamu alaikum , which means “peace be to you”?

If it’s only a thing Muslims are supposed to do, then I will refrain.

However, I do enjoy showing my Muslim friends respect and good ol’ Christian kindness and connecting with them on a cultural level seems like a very respectful thing to do.

Do I continue to use this greeting?

your thoughts?

Texas Longhorns: #1

Here’s an interesting article that may help you. It’s about how Muslims should greet non-Muslims according to the Quran and Sunna.

“How to Greet Nonbelievers According to the Quran and Sunna”
by Sam Shamoun & Jochen Katz
answering-islam.org/Muhammad/Inconsistent/greeting_nonbelievers.html

 

[Joseph_Alison]

discipleofJesus:

Here’s an interesting article that may help you. It’s about how Muslims should greet non-Muslims according to the Quran and Sunna.

“How to Greet Nonbelievers According to the Quran and Sunna”
by Sam Shamoun & Jochen Katz
answering-islam.org/Muhammad/Inconsistent/greeting_nonbelievers.html

From Sahih Muslim

Book 026, Number 5382: Ibn 'Umar reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When the Jews offer you salutations, some of them say as-Sam-u-'Alaikum (death be upon you). You should say (in response to it): “Wa 'Alaikum” (and upon you too)

Book 026, Number 5384: 'A’isha reported that a group of Jews came to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and sought his audience and said: As-Sam-u-'Alaikum (meaning, death on you) A’isha said in response: As-Sam-u-'Alaikum (death be upon you) and curse also, whereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: 'A’isha, verily Allah loves kindness in every matter. She said: Did you hear what they said? Thereupon he said: Did you not hear that I said (to them): Wa 'Alaikum. meaning “and on you”.

Salaam.
Joseph.

 

[Wolseley]

I tend to you use the Standard American “How you doing today?” with one and all.

 

[JimG]

Since you’re in Houston, why not just say “Peace be to you,” in greeting, or “and peace also be upon you,” in response?

 

[MugenOne]

When you greet a Muslim with that phrase and they respond back with “mahaba” or hello, that’s a nice way to tell you not to use “peace be upon you” to them. Some do get offended.

 

[Han_Ji_Hye]

You live in Houston?

Howdy?? is much better and sound familiar.

 

[PPatience]

se~orcampana:

I’m a devoted Christian who might become a Roman Catholic one day. Your prayers in this matter are appreciated!

Anyway, that aside, I work with quite a few Muslims, and they are good people. I enjoy their company.

My question is this: Being a Christian, is it appropriate to greet them saying, Assalamu alaikum , which means “peace be to you”?

If it’s only a thing Muslims are supposed to do, then I will refrain.

However, I do enjoy showing my Muslim friends respect and good ol’ Christian kindness and connecting with them on a cultural level seems like a very respectful thing to do.

Do I continue to use this greeting?

your thoughts?

Texas Longhorns: #1

Why not?! Many Muslims greet each other by Hi! esp. youth.

Besides, it is good to say words that mean “peace be upon you”! The Muslims u work with will be happy to hear that, maybe they will feel it strange at first, but soon after they will get used to it.