Daily Life (Greetings)

The Prophet (PBUH) said something that means: "Greet those whom you know and those whom you do not know."

Greetings are indeed an important part of everyday life here. Whenever you speak to someone, and especially if you slightly know the person, you should start with some greetings before announcing the purpose of your visit or phone call.

Also, greetings are often repeated. You may be asked, "How are you?", "How is everything?", "So, are you doing well?", "How are the kids?" (or, if applicable, your father, mother, daughter-in-law, grandson, or whoever else), etc. with or without short intervals during a visit to friends or neighbors, for example. When you walk past someone on a quiet road, you say "Salam 'aleikum", even if you don't know the person. You also inquire about the well-being of the shopkeeper whenever you visit his shop (or he inquires about yours) or the employee at an office you regularly visit. Raising your hand as a greeting to a fellow driver who made you pass is a friendly habit, too.

Here is a short list of some simple ways to greet each other:

A: As-salamu 'aleikum.
B: Wa aleikum as-salam.

A: Sabah/masa al khair (Good morning/afternoon-evening).
B: Sabah/masa an-nur ("Morning/afternoon-evening of light").

A: Kayf al haal? (How are you?)(to a man, woman or group) / Kayf haalak?(to a man) / kayf haalesh? (to a woman)
B: Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah).

A: Ma lakum shay? (Are you (plural) OK?) (very informal)
B: Alhamdulillah / Ma lana shay. (We're OK)

A: Hayakum Allah (Welcome).
B: Allah Yahayik.

On departure, people often ask:

A: Ay khadimat? (Do you need anything?)
B: Shukran ((No,) thank you).

A: Ma'asalama (good bye).
B: Ma'asalama.