How to Greet 2 Billion People and Why

While there may be today more antagonism and disputes than ever before in human history there is a single unifying greeting that is known by speakers of almost every language on earth. In English, the meaning of the arabic phrase ‘Assalamu alaikum’ is ‘peace be to you’ and is recognized by nearly all members of the muslim faith as well as their relatives who may practice another religion. Today the number of muslims slightly exceed two billion and with the exception of the very young nearly all recognize and use the term.
This phrase was recorded and preserved first by oral tradition and it was noted at least by the time of the patriarch, Abraham, considered the forefather of three major religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In sura Hud of the Koran, it is disclosed that, ‘Our messengers came to Abraham with good news. They said, ‘Peace.’ ‘Peace,’ he answered, and hastened to bring them a roasted calf. But when he saw their hands being withheld from it, he mistrusted them and was afraid of them. They said, ‘Have no fear. We are sent forth to the people of Lot.’ And when fear left him, . . Abraham pleaded with Us for the people of Lot. Abraham was gracious, tender-hearted, and devout.’
And many centuries later when a dispute arose between the Jews of the day and the Messiah, it is recorded in the book of John, he recalled the example of Abraham and said, “If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do the things Abraham did.” Not long thereafter when, ‘his disciples were together behind locked doors, for fear of the Jews, he came and stood among them. ‘Peace be to you!’ he said . . . ‘A week later his disciples were again in the room, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Y’shua came and stood among them, saying, ‘Peace be with you.’
Yet another 600 years would go by until the final Prophet would be inspired to offer a simple additional instruction, ‘Make the greeting of peace common among you.’ Following this brief command, his followers and some of their acquaintances have made it a common daily greeting, spoken around the world millions of times a day. He also added, ‘Make your response equivalent or better,’ so the reply, ‘Alaikum assalam,’ to you be peace echoes countless times around the world otherwise too often threatened by war.