How do I greet other Muslims, and what do I say back when someone says "assalamu alaykum"?

The Islamic greeting is "As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh" (peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings), and the reply is "Wa ʿalaykumu s-salām wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh." Returning the greeting is obligatory — on the individual if you are greeted alone, and on the group as a whole if a group is greeted — while initiating it is a recommended sunnah: "When you are greeted with a greeting, respond with one better than it, or return it" (Quran 4:86), so if someone says only "as-salāmu ʿalaykum," it is better to add "wa raḥmatullāh" in reply. The Prophet ﷺ said, "You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I tell you of something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread the salām among yourselves" (Sahih Muslim 54). Don't be shy about your pronunciation — say it to Muslims you know and those you don't, and it will quickly become natural.

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