As-Salāmu Alaykum Wa
Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh (السلام عليكم و
رحمة الله وبركاتة)
is an Arabic language greeting used in Muslim cultures. It means
"Peace be upon you and Allah blessing and forgiveness" It is also transliterated as Assalamu 'Alaikum
or As-salaamu Alaikum. The traditional response is "wa `Alaykum
As-Salām", meaning "and on you be peace".
The greeting is almost always accompanied by a handshake (when
exchanged between persons of the same gender). The exception is
Eid, when the hand shake is customarily preceded by three
embraces. This practice however is not based on any Islamic
ruling.
In Arabia the greeting is associated with three light kisses. In
the Indian subcontinent and Malaysia the saying of Salaam is often
accompanied with an obeisance, performed by bowing low and placing
the right palm on the forehead. Neither of these are derived from
Islamic custom, and are based in cultural traditions. |
