Question Summary:
What is the correct way of saying Assalāmualaikum? Is it Wajib to reply to those who don’t say it correctly?

Question Detail:

I have a question regarding the Salām. Can you please advise me on the correct way and words to greet (Assalāmualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakātuhu) in the light of Quran and Hadīth? Is it mandatory to reply to incorrect words e.g.
1.Salamalai-kum=(tum barbad ho jao)
2. Assām-o-Alaikum=(tum ko maut aa jaye)
3.Assa-e-kum=(tum khushi ko tarso)
4.Slam-le-kum=(tum par laa’nat ho)
5.Salām=(tum shaitān ko salāmati bhej rahe ho)

as it would to someone who greets using correct words?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is important that the words “Assalāmualaikūm Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakātuhū” be pronounced correctly. If one does not know how to pronounce it correctly, he should learn the correct way from the Ulamā or from those who know how to pronounce it.
If someone does not pronounce the Salām correctly, it is still Wājib to reply to his Salām.[i] The meanings of the incorrect pronunciation is not intended.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Abdul Hannan Nizami,
Student Darul Iftaa
USA
 
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net