What is Wa alaykumu s-salam

Wa alaykumu s-salam or Wa ‘alaykum al-salaam (وعليكم السلام) is an Arabic greeting often used by Muslims and Arabs around the world translating nearly to "And unto you peace", but is often considered the equivalent to "hello" or "good day" in English. It is the standard response to the As-salamu alaykum greeting.^[1][2] The greetings are intentional communications to acknowledge someone's presence, or to make someone feel welcomed. They are used prior to a conversation and are said to be good manners. The greeting is considered an important Islamic duty and obligation. Salam has been a standard salutation among the members of the Nation of Islam. The greeting is regularly exchanged during Muslim lectures and sermons.^[1] Extended forms include "Wa alaykumu s-salam wa rahmatullah" (May the peace and mercy of Allah be with you too) and "Wa alaykumu s-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh" (May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be with you too).

Literary meaning

"Salam" literally means "peace". The word "Islam" is also derived from it. In a wider sense "salam" means harmlessness, safety and protection from evil and from faults. As-Salaam is also one of the Names of Allah.

Use for Non-Muslims

The greeting should also be used for the Non-Muslims.The Quran says: "When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally" [al-Nisa’ 4:86]^[5] Therefore if a Non-Muslim greets a Muslim, and says, "As-salamu alaykum", then the Muslims should say, "Wa ‘alaykum al-salaam"^]Replying To Salam is an Islamic duty.

Islamic rulings related to the use of Salam

It is also preferred to use the greeting when arriving and also when leaving. It was reported that Abu Hurayrah said “When one of you joins a gathering, let him say salaam. When he wants to get up and leave, let him say salaam. The former is not more important than the latter.” (Hasan hadith reported in Jāmi` al-Tirmidhi)^[7]

According to hadith the Islamic prophet Muhammad was asked who should "begin" the salam greeting and he said:

"The one who is riding should greet the one who is walking and the one who is walking should greet the one who is sitting and the smaller group should greet the larger group." (Saheeh - Al-Bukhaari, 6234; Muslim, 2160)^[8]

It is also stated that one should give the Salam greeting upon entering a house. This is based upon the verse of the Qur'an:

"But when you enter the houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allah (i.e. say: Assalaamu ‘Aleykum — peace be on you), blessed and good." (Al-Noor 24:61)^[9]

*****Taken From Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-salamu_alaykum

What Is As salaam walaikum

Assalamu Alaykum is generally accompanied with another gesture. In some parts people put a hand on their heart as they shake hands and greet. In less formal situations, some will use the shorter greeting of 'Salam' instead of the full phrase.^{[citation needed]}

• In Afghanistan and Iran, Salām is a simple greeting. This means Peace and Health, and is used similarly to "Peace be upon you" in English-speaking cultures.
• In Amharic, the term "Selam" is used in place of "Tadias" which is the equivalent of "What's up". The word "Selam" has the same meaning in Amharic as in Arabic which is "peace".
• In Arabia, it is associated with shaking right hands and then possibly two or three light cheek to cheek kisses, alternating sides.
• In Turkey and Azerbaijan, many religious people use this statement and shake hands and it is the same for saying "goodbye"; more secular and non-religious people say "Selam" as an equivalent to "Hello" or "Hi". However, many Turks pronounce it differently as "Selamun aleyküm". The change is primarily due to the way Turkish pronounces borrowed words from Arabic.
• In Pakistan, the greeting is also associated with shaking right hands and is also often accompanied with a hug when meeting infrequently (only between the same gender). In some parts people put a hand on their heart as they shake your hand and greet. Also, it is considered impolite or uneducated to use the shorter greeting of 'Salam' vs the full greeting of 'As-salam-o-alaikum'.
• In India the greeting is accompanied by raising the right hand to the chest (arz hai "regards"; adaab "respect") or a simple handshake or hug, the shorter greeting "Salam" is used in informal situations. Goodbye is supplanted by a "Khudahafiz hafiz"(secular/less formal or to an acquaintance) or "Allah hafiz"(less secular/generally to strangers,formal) , both of which mean " May God/GOD keep you safe".
• In Bangladesh Salām Alekum is a simple greeting. This means "Peace be upon you" in English-speaking cultures.
• In Indonesia, the greeting is usually accompanied with a kind of two-handed "handshake", whereby the shaker's palms remain closed, and the fingers alone open to admit the other's proffered hand- which briefly touches the proffered's fingers or fingertips alone. In this way more adherent males and females may greet though touching- but remain true to the Islamic or cultural teachings forbidding physical contact between the genders. Occasionally, the right-hand will touch the left-breast or heart area after this
• In Indonesia's Javanese / Sasak culture, a remnant of feudalism is retained, where an elder's proffered right hand is taken and pressed briefly against the forehead. Some may instead briefly kiss the hand or the main ring. This is very common for young children to greet older relatives (of their parents' age, though, on occasion, if very polite children, younger).
• In Kazakhstan, many secular and non-religious people say "Selam" as an equivalent to "Hello" or "Hi". This use has extended to the Internet with the abbreviated "slm" being commonly used amongst Kazakhs on social networking websites.
• In USA, Muslims usually accompany the greeting with a hug, handshake or gesture depending on the customs of their ancestral home.

*****Taken From Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-salamu_alaykum