Most-asked question
How should I greet non-Muslims?
44 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 3 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Ibn Masood). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
What the Darul Iftas say
“The correct pronounciation of Salam is As Salaamu Alaikum. It is incorrect to greet with Shalom Aleikhem- as that is a greeting of the Jews. The greeting As Salam alaikum is specifically for Muslims.”
“You may greet with the words: You are a slave, so remain a slave. Don't assume the role of a master. Allah Ta`ala is not only the master, He is the creator, He is the supreme control, He knows the past and future. Islam does not say that we treat the kaafir like an animal.”
“In the Hadith, we are prohibited from making Salaam to the Kuffar. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Do not initiate Salaam with the Jews and Christians.” [Re:- Muslim Hadith no. 2167] It is on this basis that the Fuqaha have written that it is Makrooh to make Salaam to non-Muslims.”
Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.
Read the fatawa
- Participating in non-Muslim festivities and greeting them Mufti Online · 5 May 2025
- Greeting non-Muslims - What is the correct Adab? AskImam · 6 Oct 2024
- Greeting the Kuffar Ibn Masood · 19 Nov 2021
- Greeting non-Muslims and treating them well Mufti Online · 5 May 2025
- Greeting Kuffar with 'Merry Christmas'? AskImam · 13 Dec 2023
- Sending seasonal greeting cards to non-Muslims Mufti Online · 5 Dec 2020
- Greeting non-Muslims AskImam · 8 Jan 2021
- Greeting non-Muslims for their festivals Mufti Online · 15 Jan 2013
- How to reply to the Salaam of Non-Muslims and wishing Non-Muslims ‘happy diwali’? AskImam · 9 Sep 2019
- Greeting non-Muslims with good morning Mufti Online · 27 May 2021
- Can we greet non muslims with salam? AskImam · 11 Aug 2017
- Greeting a non-Muslim helper Mufti Online · 18 Dec 2018
- Replying Salaam to a Non-Muslim AskImam · 30 Mar 2017
- Replying to the salaam of a non-Muslim Mufti Online · 3 Nov 2018
- Is it allowed for a Muslim to greet the Kuffar? AskImam · 28 Dec 2013
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