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سنن دارمي
Darimi
من كتاب الاستئذانFrom the Book of Seeking Permission
باب في رَدِّ السَّلاَمِ عَلَى أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ:Chapter on replying to the greeting of the People of the Book
Hadith 2671
اُردوEn
أَخْبَرَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ مَخْلَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: "إِنَّ الْيَهُودَ إِذَا سَلَّمَ أَحَدُهُمْ، فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ: السَّامُ عَلَيْكَ . قُلْ: عَلَيْكَ".
Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When any of the Jews greets you, he says «السام عليك» 'May death be upon you.' So you should reply: «عليك» 'Death be upon you too.'"
Brief Explanation
(Commentary on Hadith 2670)
In [بخاري شريف 6256], it is narrated from Sayyidah Aisha radi Allahu anha: The Jews came to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and said: "As-sam alaikum" (Death be upon you). I understood and replied: "Alaikum as-sam wal-la'nah" (Death and curse be upon you). The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "Aisha! Be patient, for Allah Almighty loves gentleness in all matters."
I submitted: Did you not hear what they said? He replied: "I have already responded to them with 'Alaikum'—and upon you as well."
That is, whatever you said, the same is destined for you as well.
From this narration, it is understood that if a non-Muslim says such a thing, then its response should be "Alaik" or "Alaikum"—that for you is the same as what you are deserving of, or what you wish for us.
The scholars have said that saying "Alaikum" is more eloquent and expressive than "Wa alaikum," and refraining from saying "as-sam wal-la'nah" is because it contains harshness and severity in speech. And Allah knows best.
In [بخاري شريف 6256], it is narrated from Sayyidah Aisha radi Allahu anha: The Jews came to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and said: "As-sam alaikum" (Death be upon you). I understood and replied: "Alaikum as-sam wal-la'nah" (Death and curse be upon you). The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "Aisha! Be patient, for Allah Almighty loves gentleness in all matters."
I submitted: Did you not hear what they said? He replied: "I have already responded to them with 'Alaikum'—and upon you as well."
That is, whatever you said, the same is destined for you as well.
From this narration, it is understood that if a non-Muslim says such a thing, then its response should be "Alaik" or "Alaikum"—that for you is the same as what you are deserving of, or what you wish for us.
The scholars have said that saying "Alaikum" is more eloquent and expressive than "Wa alaikum," and refraining from saying "as-sam wal-la'nah" is because it contains harshness and severity in speech. And Allah knows best.
