I don’t meant to sound contrarian, but I’d like some advice on the use of as-salaam `alaikum. Although, by and large, I have received happy smiles when I’ve used this phrase, I have more than once also been reproached for using it.

On some occasions, pious Muslims (of various denominations) have taken issue with non-Muslims using this greeting. The theological reason for this has never been adequately explained to me. Obviously, I don’t want to cause offense, or to needlessly upset someone’s particular feelings. So, what is the most tactful way to respond if someone *does* take issue with my use?

I ask for your advice, as this greeting in my experience has not been universally welcomed.

Thank you Sean for sharing your concern. I have to say I’m equally surprised that some people take offense at this greeting because it’s a message of peace. I could only attempt to explain, and in no means justify, the negative reactions you were sometimes confronted with. ‘As-salaam’ means ‘peace’ as you already know and ‘alaykum’ means ‘upon you all’ and it refers not only to the people you’re greeting but to all Muslims as a community or a ‘umma’ in Arabic. The concept of ‘umma’ is all-encompassing and designates Muslims as a religious nation.

Likewise, in the response to the above greeting, ‘wa alaykum s-salaam’ (and peace be upon you all), ‘alaykum’ implies ‘you all’ as a religious nation. So I would think that some pious Muslims take the expression too literally, though most people in the Arab world think of it as a universal greeting regardless of its religious implications.

Hope this helps Sean. We appreciate a lot your efforts to speak Arabic. Drop us a line if you’ve got any more questions.