Quora Answer: Can Muslims Greet Christians “as-Salaamu’alaykum”?

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Can Muslims greet Christian ‘as-Salaamu’Alaykum’ or a ‘peace be upon you’?” 

In the Middle East, the Arab-speakers greet each other with “as-Salaamu’Alaykum”, regardless of whether they are Arab Muslims, Arab Christians, or even Jews.  This is because they understand that this is a cultural greeting that is language specific.  Muslims all over the world use it because the Prophet (s.a.w.) did, and it has become viewed as exclusively Muslim by non-Arab Muslims.  This is also due to their ignorance of the cultural origins of the greeting. 

From a jurisprudential perspective, we are supposed to wish good for others, regardless of whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim.  In that light, what sort of beliefs do people have to think this is haram?  Do they worship a limited “Allah”, the god of their tribe; or do they worship Allah (s.w.t.), Creator?  These are fundamentals of theology and ethics that should be intrinsic.  When Muslims have to ask such questions, it does not reflect well on their Islamic values and religious knowledge.  The only group that claims it is haram to greet the non-Muslims, and misrepresent the prophetic narrations, belong to the Wahhabi sect.  We should never adopt the kufr of these heretics.