A simple 'hello' is fine. Muslims greet each other with 'As-salamu alaykum' (peace be upon you), and the reply is 'Wa alaykum as-salam' (and upon you peace). If you wish to use it, you are very welcome and it will be appreciated.
The Quran tells Muslims to return a greeting with a better one or at least the same. The Prophet ﷺ said that spreading the greeting of peace is a way to increase love between people. There is no need for a non-Muslim to use Arabic phrases, and a warm greeting in your own language is just as good.
Some Muslims may not shake hands with the opposite sex. If you offer your hand and it is not taken, it is nothing personal. Placing a hand on your heart with a smile is a polite way to respond.
وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍۢ فَحَيُّوا۟ بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَآ أَوْ رُدُّوهَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ حَسِيبًا ﴿٨٦﴾
When ye are greeted with a greeting, greet ye with a better than it or return it. Lo! Allah taketh count of all things.
The authentic hadith behind this answer, from Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim and the Sunan with the grade of the scholars of hadith. Open a reference to read it in the hadith library of this site.
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، وَوَكِيعٌ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ تَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّى تُؤْمِنُوا وَلاَ تُؤْمِنُوا حَتَّى تَحَابُّوا . أَوَلاَ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى شَىْءٍ إِذَا فَعَلْتُمُوهُ تَحَابَبْتُمْ أَفْشُوا السَّلاَمَ بَيْنَكُمْ " .
This answer follows the mainstream Sunni understanding and is general learning, not a fatwa. Where Muslims differ, the answer says so. Have a question of your own? Write to us.
