Walaikum Assalam Meaning | Complete Guide

When someone says “Assalamu Alaikum”, they are greeting you with peace. In return, you say “Walaikum Assalam.” This moment is very common in Muslim homes, mosques, and gatherings. It’s how Muslims greet each other with respect and love. The phrase “Walaikum Assalam” means “And peace be upon you too.” It shows kindness, good manners, and follows the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.

This greeting isn’t just a form of hello — it carries a powerful message of unity and prayer for peace. People of all ages say it daily, and it’s part of Islamic culture around the world. In this article, we will explore what this beautiful reply means, where it comes from, and why it holds so much value in Islam.

What Does “Wa Alaikum Assalam” Mean?

“Wa Alaikum Assalam” (وَعَلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is an Arabic phrase meaning “And peace be upon you too.” It is a standard reply when someone greets you with “As-Salamu Alaikum.” The word “Wa” means “and,” and “Alaikum” means “upon you,” and “Assalam” refers to peace, specifically the divine peace granted by Allah.

Quranic Reference for the Islamic Greeting

Allah commands believers in the Qur’an to respond to greetings with equal or better salutations:

“When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with one better than it or (at least) return it equally.”
(Surah An-Nisa 4:86)

This verse confirms the importance of replying to greetings — not just politely, but generously.

Another mention is in Surah An-Nur (24:61) where Allah describes entering homes and greeting each other with the words of peace. Islam values spreading peace as a means of love and connection.

Full Version of the Greeting

The full and most virtuous reply to a Muslim who says “As-Salamu Alaikum” is:

“Wa Alaikum Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh”
وَعَلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

This means:
“And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah, and His blessings.”

Hadith Reference:

According to a narration in Sunan Abu Dawud (5195), a man once greeted the Prophet ﷺ and was replied to with peace. Another came and said “As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah”, and the Prophet replied similarly. A third came and added “wa Barakatuh”, and the Prophet replied with all three elements, showing that it is the most complete form of response.

Variants of the Greeting – Quick Reference Table

Note: Mishkah Academy teaches about important Arabic words in detail and how to pronounce them with proper meanings in its “Online Arabic conversation course”

How Do You Respond to Walaikum Assalam?

If someone says “Wa Alaikum Assalam” to you after your greeting, no reply is needed after that. However, if someone initiates the greeting with “As-Salamu Alaikum,” the Sunnah response is to say “Wa Alaikum Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh” (if possible).

This not only completes the etiquette but also earns more reward, as indicated in the Hadith.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Spread peace among yourselves.” (Sahih Muslim)

This shows that even greetings are a form of Ibadah (worship) and not just manners.

Can You Say “Wa Alaikum Assalam” to Non-Muslims?

This question is answered directly in Islamic jurisprudence.

• The Prophet ﷺ instructed us not to initiate the greeting of peace to non-Muslims.
  
  “Do not initiate the greeting of peace to the Jews and Christians…” (Sahih Muslim 2167)
• However, if a non-Muslim says “As-Salamu Alaikum,” the reply should be “Wa Alaikum” (and upon you), as the Prophet ﷺ used to do.
  

This avoids invoking Allah’s blessings in cases where the person may not believe in Him, but still maintains decency.

Importance of Islamic Greetings in Daily Life

Saying Salam is a way of:

• Showing respect
  
• Promoting unity
  
• Gaining reward
  
• Reviving a forgotten Sunnah
  
• Beginning every conversation with kindness
  

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you something which, if you do it, will cause you to love one another? Spread Salam among yourselves.”
(Sahih Muslim 54)

Etiquette & Sunnah of Giving Salam

Here are a few key Sunnahs of greeting:

• The rider should greet the one walking
  
• The young should greet the elder
  
• A small group should greet a larger group
  
• One entering should greet those already seated
  

Prophet ﷺ said: “The one who is riding should greet the one who is walking, and the one who is walking should greet the one who is sitting…” (Bukhari & Muslim)

Final Words

Greeting with peace is a powerful part of Islamic identity — it’s not just a habit but a Sunnah filled with blessings. Saying “Wa Alaikum Assalam” and its full versions reflects kindness, unity, and obedience to Allah’s commands. These words carry deep meaning and bring hearts together in faith and love.

For those eager to learn proper Islamic etiquette, phrases, and Quranic Arabic, Mishkah Academy offers online classes led by expert teachers. Start your journey to deeper understanding — enroll today with Mishkah Academy.

Book Free Trial Class Now