Salam

Salam or salaam (سلام, salām) is an Arabic word that literally means "peace", but is also used as a general greeting, above all in Arabian countries and by the Muslims and farsi language countries, but also in other countries where Islam is important.

This word appears also in longer greetings, as assalamoe `alaykum (السلام عليكم) to which it is possible to answer: wa`alaykum assalam. As-salāmu ʿalaykum is a greeting in Arabic that means "peace be upon you". The greeting is a standard salutation among Muslims, whether socially or within worship and other contexts. The typical response to the greeting is waʿalaykumu as-salām (وَعَلَيْكُم السَّلَام [waʕaˈlaikumu sːaˈlaːm]; "and upon you, peace"). It is also preferred to use the greeting when arriving and also while leaving. It was reported that Abu Hurairah said "When one of you joins a gathering, let him say 'Peace'. When he wants to get up and leave, let him say 'Peace'. The former is not more important than the latter" (Hasan hadith reported in Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhi). In addition, As-Salam is one of the 99 Names of God.
 * According to hadith, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was asked who should begin the 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" (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 6234; Muslim, 2160).
 * It is also stated that one should give the Salam greeting upon entering a house. This is based upon a verse of the Quran: "But when you enter the houses, greet one another with a greeting from God blessed and good" (An-Nur24:61).
 * Shortening the greeting to acronyms, such as A.S., As'kum (in Malaysia), or AsA is becoming common amongst Internet users in chat rooms and by people using SMS. This trend is similar to writing (S) or SAWS in place of ṣallá l-Lāhi ʿalayhi wa s-salām.

The Hebrew version is shalom, that in Israel is used in the same way like salaam.