What Does Assalamu Alaikum Mean?

Assalamu alaikum (Arabic: السلام عليكم) is pronounced as-sa-LAA-mu a-LAY-kum. The reply is wa alaikum assalam (وعليكم السلام), “and upon you be peace”.

Meaning

As-salam means “peace” — and As-Salam is also one of the names of God, the Source of peace. Alaikum means “upon you”. So the greeting is more than “hello”: it is a small prayer that the other person be safe, well and at peace. Fuller forms add wa rahmatullah (“and God’s mercy”) and wa barakatuh (“and His blessings”).

How Muslims use it

Muslims greet each other with it when they meet, when they enter a home, at the start of a phone call or message, and at the end of every prayer. The Qur’an teaches that a greeting should be returned with one equal or better (Qur’an 4:86).

The Prophet ﷺ encouraged greeting people generously, not only friends:

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr: A man asked the Prophet (ﷺ) , "What sort of deeds or (what qualities of) Islam are good?" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, 'To feed (the poor) and greet those whom you know and those whom you do not Know (See Hadith No)

The words are not limited to Muslims as a phrase of peace: many Arab Christians also use as-salamu alaikum in daily life.

Example

“Assalamu alaikum!” — “Wa alaikum assalam, come in!”

To see how greetings fit into wider Muslim manners, read Good Character in Islam.