When a Muslim greets you with Salaam.

[apophenia]

May you all Hang Loose Like a Goose !

 

[Godobeyer]

It depends which view you follow Godobeyer. I thought there was only one view on this matter but it seems there are three of them.

Check out the link:
Rules of Greeting non-Muslims in Islam (Saying Salaam/Replying Salaam)

maybe you need to recheck your link because i found this paragraphe in it :

II. PERMISIBILITY OF SAYING SALAAM TO NON-MUSLIMS

so ,your link said the scholars had different views in this subject ?

 

[Gharib]

maybe you need to recheck your link because i found this paragraphe in it :

your link said the scholars had different views in this subject .

That's what I said, that there are different opinions on the matter. Whereas I thought there was only one.

 

[Godobeyer]

That's what I said, that there are different opinions on the matter. Whereas I thought there was only one.

ok , fair enough

 

[BruceDLimber]

Word meanings can change over time. Etymology isn't a straightjacket.

None of which refutes my point, which thus holds.

Nor have I heard anyone claim it really has any other meaning.

Peace,

Bruce

 

[YmirGF]

Honestly, someone who is kind-hearted enough to wish someone well, regardless of the method of well-wishing, should not be regarded with scorn.

I tend to agree and upon thinking further on this, I'd probably not show any scorn unless two conditions were met. Foremost would be how well the person knew me. If it was a total stranger, they couldn't possibly know what I am about and so their ignorance would be eminently forgivable. If you knew me well and still chose to toss religion in my face, then you might be in for a bit of a naughty retort, such as, "And may the sauce of the Flying Spagetti Monster be upon you too". For the most part, in most cases, I'd probably do the socially acceptable, minor smile and mumble, "Thank you" with a silent "pinhead" on the end.

I see no reason to be insulted or offended by anyone wishing me well whether it's in a religious context or not. And honestly i don't understand why anyone would waste energy on being insulted by someone who is wishing them well. I find that sentiment to be rather petty. It's like those women who get upset whenever a man holds a door open for them. They're just paying you a courtesy and trying to be nice and their actions aren't causing any harm so why take offence.

The Goddess says "all acts of love are my rituals" and wishing someone salaam is an act of love, so i would accept such a gesture with open arms.

But when the greeting or well-wishing is merely an excuse to do a religious commercial, however heart-felt, that is a tiny bit insensitive. Again, depending on my mood, for the most part, I would just smile and mutter "Thank you". It's not like they REALLY care OR really mean it. So it's not too big a deal. I just see it as one of those mechanical things we say, like "How are you today?" No one really expects you to be honest and the only acceptable answer is "Fine, thanks." In fact, an honest answer will probably make the one asking wish they hadn't. My usual, slightly annoyed response is, "I'm breathing. You?"

 

[MoonWater]

I tend to agree and upon thinking further on this, I'd probably not show any scorn unless two conditions were met. Foremost would be how well the person knew me. If it was a total stranger, they couldn't possibly know what I am about and so their ignorance would be eminently forgivable. If you knew me well and still chose to toss religion in my face, then you might be in for a bit of a naughty retort, such as, "And may the sauce of the Flying Spagetti Monster be upon you too". For the most part, in most cases, I'd probably do the socially acceptable, minor smile and mumble, "Thank you" with a silent "pinhead" on the end.

But when the greeting or well-wishing is merely an excuse to do a religious commercial, however heart-felt, that is a tiny bit insensitive. Again, depending on my mood, for the most part, I would just smile and mutter "Thank you". It's not like they REALLY care OR really mean it. So it's not too big a deal. I just see it as one of those mechanical things we say, like "How are you today?" No one really expects you to be honest and the only acceptable answer is "Fine, thanks." In fact, an honest answer will probably make the one asking wish they hadn't. My usual, slightly annoyed response is, "I'm breathing. You?"

and how would you judge whether someone is using it as an excuse to do a religious commercial? How would you know they don't really care or really mean it?

 

[YmirGF]

and how would you judge whether someone is using it as an excuse to do a religious commercial?

My first clue would be that a person chose to couch their wishes for well-being in religious terms. For example, if you were to say something in relation to "the goddess", I'd probably raise an eye-brow and give you a funny look... whilst quickly backing away from you...

That said, it is far more common in my part of the world to hear people say, "I hope your and yours are doing well." (If the person is attempting to be sincere.) Throughout my life I've only rarely had religious types come up to me and utter such and such in relation to their dubious, yet amusing, views of "god". It just doesn't happen here, as a rule. In short, people don't wear religion on their sleeves. It's not considered good manners. It might be interesting to hear if Alceste would back me up on that as she is more or less from the same area.

How would you know they don't really care or really mean it?

It could just be my cynicism talking but I seriously doubt that human animals are particularly sincere these days. As one of my old bosses was fond of saying, "Once you can fake sincerity, you've got it made." I am quite sure that fake sincerity is the dominant force in this day and age. I seriously doubt that genuine sincerity has much place in our social intercourse any longer - if in fact, it ever did - on that note, I am quite sincere.

 

[Caladan]

When a Muslim greets you with 'Assalamu Alaykum Warhmathullahi Wabarakathuhu'

I'm greeted by Muslims almost every day at work. Usually it's either Ahlan, Salam, or probably mostly saying Shalom in my language, or a combination of Arabic and Hebrew greetings. I think that if someone gives the full greetings you gave above, even the Muslims are going to look at them like they just landed from Mars.

it means that they really love & care for you. Be grateful for them, because they are making a sincere Du'a for you, They wish for the Peace and Blessings of Allah to be upon you. Subhanallah!

Assalamu Alaykum Warhmathullahi Wabarakathuhu! =)

See, I always assumed it meant an excessively dramatic salutations by virtual Muslims, often followed by equally dramatic sermons about the greatness of their science-compatible religion
But now I'm just being pedantic. Ahlan wa sahlan!

 

[ResistETIntervention]

My first clue would be that a person chose to couch their wishes for well-being in religious terms. For example, if you were to say something in relation to "the goddess", I'd probably raise an eye-brow and give you a funny look... whilst quickly backing away from you...

Have you ever done that to anyone and what were their reactions?

 

[psychoslice]

When a Muslim greets you with 'Assalamu Alaykum Warhmathullahi Wabarakathuhu', it means that they really love & care for you. Be grateful for them, because they are making a sincere Du'a for you, They wish for the Peace and Blessings of Allah to be upon you. Subhanallah!

Assalamu Alaykum Warhmathullahi Wabarakathuhu! =)

If that was only true.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

None of which refutes my point, which thus holds.

Nor have I heard anyone claim it really has any other meaning.

Peace,

Bruce

I checked several dictionary entries. All of them noted that "God" had been changed to "good" to make it similar to expressions like "good day" and "good morning". Why would you assume there's still a theistic connection (besides etymology, of course) when God has been literally stripped from the expression? It's been secularized.