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Fatwa CenterSaying assalaamu 'alaykum in English
Question
Assalaamu alaykum. What is the meaning of 'assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu'? Is it correct to say 'peace be upon you' in English instead of Arabic ?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu means: Peace be upon you, and the Mercy of Allaah, and His Blessings. It is a greeting to the addressees and an invocation of peace and safety for them, and it means asking Allaah to protect them from all evil and to have mercy upon them and bless them and make everything blessed for them.
An-Nawawi said in his commentary on Imaam Muslim's explanation of 'assalaamu alaykum', “It was said that its meaning is to seek refuge in Allaah and seek His Protection; As-Salaam (Peace) is one of the Names of Allaah; so the implied meaning is 'Allaah is the Protector and Guard over' or 'May Allaah be with you by His Protection and Grace'. It is also said that it means: 'May you be granted peace and salvation.'”
It is acceptable to say 'assalaamu alaykum' in English or in any other language – according to the correct view of the scholars – as stated in al-Majmoo’ by an-Nawawi, “The scholars held three views regarding saying 'salaam' in a language other than Arabic: (a) it is not sufficient [not acceptable]; (b) it is sufficient (c) if he is able to say it in Arabic, then it is not sufficient from him, otherwise it is. The correct (indeed, the right) opinion is that it is valid to greet in a language other than Arabic and it is obligatory to respond to the greeter if the addressee (the greeted person) understands it, regardless of whether he speaks Arabic or not because it is called a greeting and peace.”
However, it is more appropriate for a Muslim that his greeting be in Arabic terms that have been confirmed authentic, especially if he speaks good Arabic.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, may Allaah have mercy upon, said, “The scholars disliked that the communication is in a language other than Arabic for those who know [speak] the Arabic language.”
This is in regard to speaking in a language other than Arabic in general, let alone giving the greeting of salaam, which is one of the forms of remembrance of Allaah Almighty.
Allaah knows best.
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