Initiating the Salam with Non-Muslims and Responding to Them

Question:
The questioner asks: What is the ruling on initiating the salam with non-Muslims? And what do we say if a non-Muslim greets us?

Answer:
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: And he said: If If they initiate it, we respond to them, but we do not initiate it. However, saying "How are you?" or "How is your condition?" is fine; it is not the salam. "How are you?" and "Give me this" and sitting and doing such things is not the salam between him and the disbelievers, whether in work or otherwise. The salam is saying "As-salamu alaykum"; do not initiate it with them. If they offer the salam, respond to them. Yes.