السلام عليكم
as-salāmu ʕalaykum/as.sa.laː.mu ʕa.laj.kum/
Peace be unto you in Arabic is السلام عليكم (as-salāmu ʕalaykum).
السلام عليكم is a universal greeting used among Muslims, though it is also common in many Arabic-speaking non-Muslim communities. It is used to wish peace upon the person being addressed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of al-salām (the peace) and ʿalaykum (upon you/plural).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is as-salāmu ʕalaykum. The word has 6 syllables.
When do people say it?
In Arab cultures, it is customary to shake hands or embrace after exchanging greetings. When someone greets you with السلام عليكم, the standard response is وعليكم السلام (and upon you be peace).
Did you know?
- Because the phrase uses a plural form to address the person, it is often interpreted as wishing peace upon the person and the angels accompanying them.
- The word سلام in this greeting shares the exact same ancient Semitic root as the Hebrew word 'shalom'.
- While used as a greeting, السلام ('al-salām') is also one of the 99 names of God in Islam, representing the source of peace.
Examples in context
- السلام عليكم يا أخي.as-salāmu ʿalaykum yā akhī.Peace be unto you, my brother.
- السلام عليكم جميعاً.as-salāmu ʿalaykum jamīʿan.Peace be unto you all.
- دخل الرجل وقال: السلام عليكم.dakhal al-rajul wa qāla: as-salāmu ʿalaykum.The man entered and said: peace be unto you.
Example conversation
Ziad arrives at Mariam's house for a visit.
- مريم Maryamالسلام عليكم يا زياد.as-salāmu ʿalaykum yā Ziyād.Peace be unto you, Ziad.
- زياد Ziadوعليكم السلام يا مريم.wa ʿalaykum as-salām yā Maryam.And peace be unto you, Mariam.
- مريم Maryamكيف حالك اليوم؟kayfa ḥāluki al-yawm?How are you today?
- زياد Ziadأنا بخير، شكراً لكِ.ana bikhayr, shukran laki.I am well, thank you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry السلام عليكم, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries السلام عليكم, CC BY-SA 4.0.
