Foundations · Good Character

Islamic Greetings and Social Etiquette

Test your knowledge of responding to greetings and social interactions in Islam.

5 questions · Easy · about 2 minutes

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5 questions, about 2 minutes.

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1. What is the general response when a non-Muslim greets a Muslim with salam?

  • Say nothing.
  • Say “Wa ‘alaykum.” (correct answer)
  • Reply with curses.
  • Say “Al-‘alaykum.”

Why

The general response mentioned for the greeting of the People of the Book is “Wa ‘alaykum” or “‘alaykum.” This avoids adding “al-salam” when the wording of the greeting may be unclear.

View source on IslamQA →

2. If a non-Muslim clearly says “al-salamu ‘alaykum” and the Muslim is certain of the wording, how may the Muslim respond?

  • “Wa ‘alaykum al-salam,” or “Wa ‘alaykum.” (correct answer)
  • Only with silence.
  • Only by refusing to respond.
  • By replying with an insult.

Why

If the greeting is clearly pronounced as “al-salamu ‘alaykum,” then the Muslim may return the greeting in kind. If the wording is unclear or sounds like “al-saam ‘alaykum,” the response should be “wa ‘alaykum.”

View source on IslamQA →

3. What should the congregation do when the imam greets them with salam before the khutbah?

  • Remain silent.
  • Return the greeting. (correct answer)
  • Leave the mosque.
  • Start praying silently.

Why

When the imam faces the people and greets them with salam, the congregation should respond, because returning salam is more emphasized than initiating it.

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4. When should someone give salam in a gathering?

  • When joining and when leaving. (correct answer)
  • Only when joining.
  • Only when leaving.
  • Only if the gathering is very large.

Why

Giving salam is Sunnah when entering a gathering and also when leaving it. The first greeting is not more important than the second.

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5. What is the minimum valid response to someone who gives salam?

  • Say nothing.
  • Say “SubhanAllah.”
  • Say “Wa ‘alayka as-salam” or “Wa ‘alaykum as-salam.” (correct answer)
  • Say only “Jazakallahu khayran.”

Why

The minimum response to salam is to return the greeting with words such as “Wa ‘alayka as-salam” or “Wa ‘alaykum as-salam.” Omitting the opening “wa” is also mentioned as sufficient.

View source on IslamQA →

A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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