ASSALAMU ALAIKUM — Peace be upon you

The greeting is completed by handshaking. Handshaking, a sign of love and affection, is also one of the ways (sunnat) of the Prophet. The Prophet has also said: ‘Greet those whom you know as well as those who you do not know.’ (SAHIH BUKHARI) The Prophet encouraged all to greet one another saying that it is a way of increasing love and affection amongst each other. (SAHIH MUSLIM) This greeting is a form of prayer, for the true believer; having good feelings in his heart for others being their genuine well-wisher. He even keeps praying for them in his hours of privacy. As such—on meeting them, this inner feeling of well-wishing finds expression in the form of these words of greeting: “Peace be upon you.” This greeting is a form of prayer for the true believer; having good feelings in his heart for others being their genuine well-wisher. The phrase ‘Assalamu Alaikum’ is an indicator of the kind of life that an individual ought to lead in society, i.e. everyone must live in this world as the well-wisher of others, desiring peace and security for all. By greeting others with this phrase, one introduces oneself as just such a well-wisher, one from whom no harm may be expected. This greeting truly symbolizes an attitude of peace and goodwill towards all human beings. The greeting ‘Assalamu Alaikum’ is not a mere ritual repetition of certain set words. It is, in fact, a sacred covenant by which one leads a principled life. Its utterance is an indication that the speaker means to observe the spirit of this phrase—the spirit of peace and goodwill towards all. Being patient Through patience you can turn your fortune around; without patience you can expect nothing but failure.