What is the response to a non-Muslim who greets us in writing?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : How do we reconcile the authentic hadith, agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim, in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih Muslim 2163a, with what you previously mentioned regarding the years, which can be one year or more? If a non-Muslim utters the phrase "As-salamu alaykum," we say to him what he says, meaning we respond to him according to the Sunnah. So how do we reconcile this here?
The Shaykh : The response is by observing the legal reasoning for this matter. He (peace be upon him) said: Sahih Muslim 2164a. Indeed, one of them says "As-sam 'alaykum." If their greeting is eloquent and clear, then this reasoning does not include them at that time, and the ruling is removed from them—may Allah have mercy on you—is that clear?
The Shaykh : Very clear.
The questioner : Do you have the occasion of revelation for this verse[An-Nisa 4:94] to the end of the verse?
The Shaykh : It is mentioned in the books of tafsir; the occasion requires review. Yes.
The questioner : Is its occasion for those who say "As-salamu alaykum" to the Christians?
The Shaykh : No, no.
When the People of the Book offer you salutations, you should say: The same to you.
إذا سلم عليكم أهل الكتاب فقولوا وعليكمThe Shaykh : The response is by observing the legal reasoning for this matter.
Say, "And upon you."
فقولوا وعليكمsome of them say as-Sam-u-'Alaikum (death be upon you)
فإنما يقول أحدهم السام عليكمThe Shaykh : Very clear.
The questioner : Do you have the occasion of revelation for this verse
do not say to one who gives you [a greeting of] peace "You are not a believer,"
ولا تقولوا لمن ألقى إليكم السلام لست مؤمنا ...The Shaykh : It is mentioned in the books of tafsir; the occasion requires review. Yes.
The questioner : Is its occasion for those who say "As-salamu alaykum" to the Christians?
The Shaykh : No, no.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.