Is Greeting Someone With Just The Word “Salam” Correct?

Is Greeting Someone With Just The Word “Salam” Correct?

Question:

Assalamu ‘alaykum.

In verse 69 of Surah Hud, I see that Allah only uses the term salam instead of assalamu ‘alaykum. Therefore, I wonder if just greeting with salam instead of assalamu ‘alaykum is also correct in Islam.

Answer:

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

The uses the Arabic rhetorical device ijaz, which means brevity. Therefore, details which are understood are omitted. The Prophet Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) said the full greeting.

The sunna is that we say the full greeting, so that is what we should strive to do. Whoever says the greeting first gets ninety good deeds, and whoever responds get ten. The one who greets first is superior. (Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al Muhtar)

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
Abdul-Rahim

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.