Response to greetings of non muslims.
Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
(May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked
this question:
Assalam-o-Alaikum
I have some questions and i really like
Can we say islamic greetings of assalam-o-alikum to
non-muslims, and if they say to us islamic greetings of assalam-o-alikum , how
should we answer?
(There may be some grammatical and spelling
errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from
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confidentiality.)
Answer:
Response to
greetings of non muslims
In the name of Allah,
We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah
guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide
them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah
Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the
seal of His Messengers.
‘As-Salaam o Aleikum’ is a dua or supplication a
believer makes for his believing brother and sister, and asks for Peace and
Safety for his brother-in-faith from the source of All Peace, Allah Subhanah. There is absolutely no harm if one wishes
peace for a non-muslim, but the truth of the matter is that no person can
experience genuine peace and safety in the life of this world and especially in
the Hereafter if he is not guided to the Truth of Islam.
Thus, the absolute best dua or supplication a
believer can make for his non-muslim brethren-in-humanity is that Allah
Subhanah guide him/her to the Truth and Straight Path of Islam. Thus,
regardless of how the unbeliever chooses to wish a believer, be it ‘hi’, ‘good
morning’, ‘good evening’, or even ‘As Salaam Alaykum’, etc., the best wish or
supplication a believer may and should make in reply to their greeting as their
genuine well wisher in this world and the Hereafter is any of the following:
1. Allah Yah-deek : may Allah Guide you (to the Truth).
2. Hadaak Allah :
may Allah Guide you (to the Truth).
Such a response to the greeting
of a disbeliever would be more appropriate in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.
Whatever written of
Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever
of error is of me alone. Allah Alone
Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your brother and
well wisher in Islam,
Burhan
Wister