[Q 376] Ruling on Using Abbreviations To Say Salam

Question

What is the ruling on writing “aoa” instead of Assalamu Alaikum and “ws” instead of Wa Alaikum Assalam? Please provide guidance.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الجواب بعون ملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

One ought to write the Salam in full. It is not appropriate to write ‘aoa’ in its place as this does not fulfill the Sunnah of saying Salam.
Similarly, responding to Salam with ‘ws’ is also incorrect. If someone sends the full Salam as per the Sunnah, then responding with just “ws” will not fulfill the requirement (Wajib) of responding with Salam.
Allah عزوجل states in the Qur’an:

وَ إِذَا حُيِّيتُمْ بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَسِيبًا

Translation (Kanz-ul-Iman):
“And when you are greeted with a greeting ˹of peace˺, then reply with a better greeting or say the same. Indeed, Allah takes account of everything.”

(Surah An-Nisa, Verse 86)

It is mentioned in Radd al-Muhtar:

“ولفظ السلام في المواضع كلها: السلام عليكم أو سلام عليكم بالتنوين، وبدون هذين كما يقول الجهال، لا يكون سلاما”

(Radd-ul-Muhtar ala al-Durr-il-Mukhtar, Vol. 6, Pg. 416, Dar al-Fikr, Beirut)

Answered By: Daruliftaahlesunnat
Translated Answer
Date: 12th October 2024