Is it permissible to omit the article (alif and lam) from "As-salamu alaykum" so that it becomes "Salamun alaykum"?
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The questioner : Shaykh, may Allah bless you. We just discussed the greeting of peace, and there are some phrases, for example, taken from the greeting, such as saying "As-salamu alaykum" but omitting the article (alif and lam) and saying "Salamun alaykum."
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : Or is it also permissible to answer with "Salam wa rahmat Allah" without saying "Wa alaykum as-salam"?
The Shaykh : There is no harm if he says "Salamun alaykum," meaning he uses the indefinite form; there is no harm. However, the definite form is better: "As-salamu alaykum." Likewise, if someone says "Salam wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh," intending "Peace be upon you," there is no harm, because it is permissible to omit the predicate and it is permissible to omit the subject. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said, "Salam." What did he omit? He omitted the predicate, meaning "Salamun alaykum." Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : Or is it also permissible to answer with "Salam wa rahmat Allah" without saying "Wa alaykum as-salam"?
The Shaykh : There is no harm if he says "Salamun alaykum," meaning he uses the indefinite form; there is no harm. However, the definite form is better: "As-salamu alaykum." Likewise, if someone says "Salam wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh," intending "Peace be upon you," there is no harm, because it is permissible to omit the predicate and it is permissible to omit the subject. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said, "Salam." What did he omit? He omitted the predicate, meaning "Salamun alaykum." Yes.