Is Salaamu 'Alaykum Plural?

jtc

Peace,

I was wondering if saying "salaamu 'alaykum" to one person even makes sense grammatically.
Should it not be "salaamu 'alayki" for a woman and "salaamu 'alayka" for a man?

What does everyone else think?

BornAgain

Salaam,

Grammatically (Classical), assalaamu'alaikum is in plural form. However, you will find that you can address a singular person in plural to show respect/formality in contemporary Arabic. Anyone can correct me if I am wrong

kaamil

It has become an acceptable norm to say salamun alaykum even to a person. But stickly speaking it would ve been as you ve suggested

youssef4342

Grammatically it might be correct, however, the "colloqual" norm now is to use the plural.
with giving a greeting you could use the plural salamun 3alaikum
with responding to a greeting you could use the singular salamun 3alaik/3alaiky

also, not that masculine is 3alaik, you don't need an A at the end...

jtc

In 1947 Abraham says " " when talking to his father. Is the fat-ha on the kaf not pronounced? From listening to recitations online it seems to be vocalized.

youssef4342

You are actually right, as per the Quran.
Excuse my colloquial-ness.

mmkhan

In 1947 Abraham says " " when talking to his father. Is the fat-ha on the kaf not pronounced? From listening to recitations online it seems to be vocalized.

Salaam jtc,

Red part That fat-ha has to be pronounced, otherwise how will you differentiate between men and women, were for women kasra is used as "Salaamun AlaikI". More on Salaam...

5125

They said to Ibrahim as "SalaamAn" and he replied to them as "SalaamUn". This is also enough when someone who is standing face to face.

Even you can use names with "Salaamun" as in 3779, in 37109 and in 37120.

In general to believers you can say "Salaamun Alaikum" as in 654. Hope this may help you inshaAllah.

May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us to His true path pr
mmKhan

jtc

Salaam mmkhan and all.

Thanks for your inputs. Based on the little 'Arabic knowledge I have, it just seemed strange to use the plural when greeting an individual.

mmkhan

Salaam mmkhan and all.

Thanks for your inputs. Based on the little 'Arabic knowledge I have, it just seemed strange to use the plural when greeting an individual.

Salaam jtc,

Yes I agree with you handshake

May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us to His only path pr
mmKhan

BornAgain

Salaam mmkhan and all.

Thanks for your inputs. Based on the little 'Arabic knowledge I have, it just seemed strange to use the plural when greeting an individual.

As I said, plural can be used for singular to show respect. It applies to other languages too, like Persian and Hebrew.