Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Zahrah bin Humaizah narrates that I was riding behind Hazrat Abu Bakr on a mount when we passed by some people, so we greeted them with salam, and they responded to our salam with an even better reply. Upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakr said: "Today, people are surpassing us in earning reward."

Hazrat Zaid bin Wahb narrates that Hazrat Umar said: I was riding behind Hazrat Abu Bakr, then he mentioned the aforementioned hadith, and said: Today, people have surpassed us in reward.

Hazrat Abu Al-Bakhtari narrates that a man came to Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and said: O Commander of the Faithful: Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. He replied: And upon you. The man thought that he had not heard. He said again: O Commander of the Faithful! Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. He replied: And upon you. The man said: Why are you not replying to me in the same way as I greeted you? He replied: Have I not done so?

Hazrat Abu Huraira narrates that a man entered the mosque while the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was sitting in a corner of the mosque. That man performed prayer and then greeted the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, replied: "Wa alaikas salam, peace be upon you too."

Hazrat Malik bin Aws bin Hammad Thani narrates that Hazrat Abu Dharr returned from Syria and entered the mosque. At that time, Hazrat Uthman was also in the mosque. He (Abu Dharr) said: "Peace be upon you." He (Uthman) replied: "And peace be upon you, O Abu Dharr, how are you?" He (Abu Dharr) said: "I am well. How are you, O Uthman?" He (Uthman) replied: "I am also well."

Hazrat Maymoon narrates that a man greeted Hazrat Salman Farsi and said: "Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu." Hazrat Salman said, "It is sufficient, it is sufficient," then he replied to him in the same manner as the man had greeted, and then added a few more words. Upon this, the man asked him: "O Abu Abdullah! Do you know me?" He replied: "My soul knows your soul."

Hazrat Nafi' narrates that Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) used to reply to greetings in the same manner as he was greeted, for example, "As-salamu Alaikum."

Hazrat Muawiyah bin Qurrah narrates that my father advised me that when someone greets you with Salam, do not reply with "Wa alaik" but say "Wa alaikum." This is because angels are also with that person.

Hazrat Abdur Rahman Ar-Rahhal narrates that Hazrat Rabi’ bin Khuthaym, when replying to Salam, would say: “Wa ‘alaikum” and would intend the reply for the one who greeted.

Hazrat Abu Ishaq says that Hazrat Shurayh, when replying to Salam, used to say: "Wa alaikum," meaning: "And upon you too."

Hazrat A'mash says that when Hazrat Zaid bin Wahb was greeted with Salam, he would reply in this way: "Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu wa maghfiratuhu."

Hazrat A'mash says that Ibrahim stated: When a person replies to Salam, he should use the plural form and say "Wa Alaikum," because along with the person, there are also angels present.

Ismail and Hazrat Ibn Aun, both of these gentlemen state that when Ibrahim replied to a greeting, he would say: "And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah."

Ibn Aun narrates that when Imam Muhammad replied to a greeting, he would say: "And upon you."