According to a highly respected Islamic information website known as “Vi-kah ‘Aahp Hediah,” the phrase, “As-salamu alaikum,” (pronounced: aw-saw-lam-aw-lay-koom; meaning: May the peace and mercy of Allah be with you) is a very common greeting exchanged between Muslims.
An “As-salamu alaikum,” said by the greeter is usually acknowledged by the person being greeted with a, “Wa alaikum assalaam” (pronounced: wah-lay-koom-aw-saw-lam meaning: And upon you be peace.)
There are also differences in the formality of the greeting. Extended forms are considered more formal, while shorter forms are considered less formal. Many times this comes down to who you’re addressing, or how you want others to perceive you.
“Salam” This is like the, “sup” of the Islamic world. Some would disagree. Thank god they’re not the ones writing this blog.
“Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah” (Meaning: May the peace and mercy of Allah be with you).
The person who said this is no joke. They take their salaaming seriously —especially if they’re pronouncing each syllable slowly with an over-emphasized Arabic accent.
“Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh” (meaning: May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be with you)
Don’t panic! But you have just been given the grand slam of all salams. If this salam were a detective it would be Sherlock Holmes. If it were a basketball team it would be the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls. If it were a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, theologian, and Sufi mystic, it would be Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī.
The mega salam:
The mega salam is one of my own creation. It lasts for a full minute and largely consists of random Arabic tourist phrases to make it sound like you’re really in touch with Islam. Make sure to use it one people who DO NOT speak Arabic.
Ahem,
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh bikam hādhā, ayn al-ḥammām, nād ash-shariṭah, Ana bekhair, shokran, imshy ala tool, thumma ‘arrij yaminan,… ḥawwāmtī mumtil’ah bi’anqalaysūn
Translation: May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be with you… How much is this? Where is the toilet? Call the police, I’m fine thanks, straight then turn left… my hovercraft is full of eels.
An “As-salamu alaikum,” said by the greeter is usually acknowledged by the person being greeted with a, “Wa alaikum assalaam” (pronounced: wah-lay-koom-aw-saw-lam meaning: And upon you be peace.)
There are also differences in the formality of the greeting. Extended forms are considered more formal, while shorter forms are considered less formal. Many times this comes down to who you’re addressing, or how you want others to perceive you.
“Salam” This is like the, “sup” of the Islamic world. Some would disagree. Thank god they’re not the ones writing this blog.
“Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah” (Meaning: May the peace and mercy of Allah be with you).
The person who said this is no joke. They take their salaaming seriously —especially if they’re pronouncing each syllable slowly with an over-emphasized Arabic accent.
“Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh” (meaning: May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be with you)
Don’t panic! But you have just been given the grand slam of all salams. If this salam were a detective it would be Sherlock Holmes. If it were a basketball team it would be the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls. If it were a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, theologian, and Sufi mystic, it would be Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī.
The mega salam:
The mega salam is one of my own creation. It lasts for a full minute and largely consists of random Arabic tourist phrases to make it sound like you’re really in touch with Islam. Make sure to use it one people who DO NOT speak Arabic.
Ahem,
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh bikam hādhā, ayn al-ḥammām, nād ash-shariṭah, Ana bekhair, shokran, imshy ala tool, thumma ‘arrij yaminan,… ḥawwāmtī mumtil’ah bi’anqalaysūn
Translation: May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be with you… How much is this? Where is the toilet? Call the police, I’m fine thanks, straight then turn left… my hovercraft is full of eels.