If one were to be greeted in full with the Islamic greeting As Salamu
Alaikum Wa Rahmathullahi Wa Barakathuhu, it is important to reply in
full with Wa Alaikum Salam Wa Rahmathullahi Wa Barakathuhu.
Allah commands us to respond to greetings in a better way or at least in a similar manner.
And
when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one
better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner]. Indeed,
Allah is ever, over all things, an Accountant. [Al Quran 4:86]
Adam
AS greeted the Angels with Salam. The Angels replied with one better
than it. We, followers of Prophet PBUH, should adopt and return
greetings as the Angels did.
Narrated Abu Huraira RA:
The Prophet PBUH said, “Allah created
Adam, making him 60 cubits tall. When He created him, He said to him,
“Go and greet that group of angels, and listen to their reply, for it
will be your greeting (salutation) and the greeting (salutations of your
offspring.” So, Adam said (to the angels), As-Salamu Alaikum (i.e.
Peace be upon you). The angels said, “As-salamu Alaika wa
Rahmatu-l-lahi” (i.e. Peace and Allah’s Mercy be upon you). Thus the
angels added to Adam’s salutation the expression, ‘Wa Rahmatu-l-lahi,’
Any person who will enter Paradise will resemble Adam (in appearance and
figure). People have been decreasing in stature since Adam’s creation.
[Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 55, Number 543]
Additionally,
Prophet PBUH told us that returning greetings is obligatory. If we did
not reply in full, we would have not fulfilled in our obligation in
returning the greetings in full.
Abu Hurayrah RA said: “I heard the
Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
say: ‘The rights of a Muslim over his fellow Muslim are five:
returning greetings, visiting the sick, attending funerals, accepting
invitations, and saying Yarhamuk Allah (may Allah have mercy on
you) when he sneezes.’”
[Saheeh al-Bukhaari (1164) and Saheeh Muslim (4022)]
Prophet PBUH said ” Greetings and prayers should not be limited”
[Narrated: Abu Huraira Abu Dawud 793]
In addition to returning the greetings, if one were to pray for mercy and blessings for that person, it will be more rewarding.
Narrated Imran ibn Husayn RA: A man
came to the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) and said: Peace be upon you! He
responded to his salutation. He then sat down. The Prophet
(peace_be_upon_him) said: Ten. Another man came and said: Peace and
Allah’s mercy be upon you! He responded to his salutation when he sat
down. He said: Twenty. Another man came and said: Peace and Allah’s
mercy and blessings be upon you! He responded to him and said when he
sat down: and blessings be upon you! He responded to him and said when
he sat down: Thirty.
[Abu Dawud Book 41, Number 5176]
PBUH – Peace & Blessings be Upon Him
RA – Radhi Allahu Anhu – May Allah be pleased with them
