i have to agree with Omar!

Salam=)

I agree. Salams really have an impact on me.

Once, I was walking torwards the corner store with my stepfather and two of his friends. My head was covered- not with a hijab though- and my stepfather was wearing one of his Moroccan kaftans, and a guy, who was rushing towards the train station, said salam. We all responded. It felt really good, that some stranger in a rush would take the time to say salam to us=)

Since then, I always try to put a smile on my face and say salam to Muslims I meet. I find that people are actually surprised- in a good way! People have always returned my salams, but I’m sure it must be frustrating when someone doesn’t answer.

salam alakum…no reply….well keep it moving ahk

Wa alaikum salaam wa rahmatulahi wa barakatuh,

PLEASE say salaams to sisters when you see us on campus.

Sisters can’t always tell if a gentleman is Muslim, so we don’t usually say salaams. But really, random salaams at the best thing in the world, and the power of salaams is just phenomenal. A sister will not think you’re flirting or anything (insha Allah). It’s so uplifting just knowing “I’m not the only Muslim here in this class/campus/workplace.” I take comfort in that, it’s a good feeling, and subhan Allah it can really bring a feeling of peace, happiness and camaraderie to anyone, sister or brother. Just say a quick salaams and move on. (I know there’s a hadith about smiling being sadaqah, but standing there and smiling at a sister might be a little much 🙂 )

Of course this is just my opinion drawn from my own personal experiences, so I include the popular Muslim disclaimer Allah knows best 🙂

Thank you Farooq for sharing this beautiful hadith. It helps me to feel better about my experiences, and I’m sure it will help our author as well to dispel the sadness he felt at the airport. It puts things in a new perspective. My salaam is always answered!

mike, that’s a nice story.

There are numerous ahadeeth that mention giving salaams when passing by Muslims but I always wondered whether this applies to the opposite gender? Particularly in college where I pass by sisters that I don’t necessarily know, what would be the proper etiquette?

If we make eye contact, a quick salaam is nothing big.
A simple “salaamu alaikum” with a warm smile and a nod is essential for me when navigating through the streets of Cairo. But of course, if like me sometimes you are in a world of your own and lost in thought like I am whilst walking through the streets of London, you seldom realise you passed by some Muslims and forgot to say “salaaau alaikum”.