"As-salamu alaykum" means "Peace be upon you". It is a prayer for the other person's safety, and the greeting of the people of Paradise.
How to greet and reply
The fuller the greeting, the greater the reward:
- As-salamu alaykum
- …wa rahmatullah
- …wa barakatuh
- Reply with the same or better: Wa alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
أَوَلَا أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى شَيْءٍ إِذَا فَعَلْتُمُوهُ تَحَابَبْتُمْ؟ أَفْشُوا السَّلَامَ بَيْنَكُمْ
“Shall I not tell you of something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salam among yourselves.”
Etiquette of salam
The one riding greets the one walking, the walker greets the seated, the few greet the many, and the young greet the old. Greet those you know and those you do not.
Start every lesson with peace
In our live classes every lesson opens with salam. Discover our Islamic studies classes or learn Quran online.
Keep learning with Alazhar School
Short Quran lessons, recitations and tips every week.
Topics covered in this guide
- Islamic greeting
- As-salamu alaykum meaning
- Islamic manners
- online Islamic studies
Knowledge check
One-question quick quiz
What should we say before eating?
Frequently asked
Learning with Al-Azhar online
Can I study Islamic Manners online from the USA, UK or Europe?
Yes. Live one-to-one classes are scheduled around international time zones, with the same teacher each week.
Are male and female Al-Azhar teachers available?
Yes. Families may request a qualified male or female teacher, subject to schedule availability.
Can I try a class before choosing a plan?
Yes. Every learner can book a 100% free trial class to meet a teacher and receive a starting-level recommendation.
