39/4. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2163a — Replying to People of the Book
The Prohibition Of Initiating The Greeting With The People Of The Book, And How To Respond To Them
How to Reply to Salam from the People of the Book
Sahih Muslim : 2163a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2163a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَنَسًا، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ح وَحَدَّثَنِي إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ سَالِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، أَخْبَرَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا سَلَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ فَقُولُوا وَعَلَيْكُمْ " .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
Anas b. Malik reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: When the People of the Book offer you salutations, you should say: The same to you.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2163aIn-book reference : Book 39, Hadith 7USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 26, Hadith 5380
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2163a
This Hadith gives a short answer about replying to the salutations of the People of the Book. Anas b. Malik reported that when they offer salutations, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) taught Muslims to say: the same to you. The text is brief, so the explanation should stay brief in meaning. It does not add a long debate or extra details. It teaches a measured reply that mirrors the greeting without adding more words. For people searching how to reply to salam from People of the Book, this Hadith gives the exact response mentioned in the narration: Wa Alaikum, meaning and upon you too.
What we learn from this hadith
- The reply taught in the text is Wa Alaikum.
- The response is short and measured.
- The Hadith gives specific wording for this type of greeting.
