Is it proper to greet a non-Muslim with "As-Salāmu Alaykum"?
The greeting "As-Salāmu Alaykum" (peace be upon you) is traditionally a Muslim greeting, and there are specific teachings regarding how to approach this greeting with non-Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ advised that when responding to greetings from non-Muslims, it is appropriate to reply with a variation that maintains respect.
For instance, it is narrated in Sunan Abu Dawud that The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'When one of the Jews greets you with ‘As-sam ‘alaykum’ (peace be upon you), respond with ‘Wa ‘alaykum’ (and upon you).'
Sunan Abu Dawud 43:434. This indicates that Muslims should respond to greetings from People of the Book (Jews and Christians) respectfully, acknowledging their greeting without initiating it.
Additionally, both Sunni and Shia sources emphasize that Muslims should not initiate the greeting with "As-Salāmu Alaykum" to non-Muslims, but they should respond courteously if greeted. For example, Ali (peace be upon him) is reported to have said in Al-Kafi, Do not be the ones to begin greeting the People of the Scripture, but when they greet you, respond by saying 'And upon you.'
Al-Kafi 4:62.
Thus, while it is not proper to initiate "As-Salāmu Alaykum" with non-Muslims, responding to their greetings with kindness and respect is encouraged.
Sources
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Sunan Abu Dawud 43:434
Sunan Abu Dawud · Book 43, Hadith 434 · Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "When one of the Jews greets you with ‘As-sam ‘alaykum’ (peace be upon you), respond with ‘Wa ‘alaykum’ (and upon you).”
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Al-Kafi 4:62
Al-Kafi · Book 4, Hadith 62
I asked him about the best means by which servants can draw near to Allah, the Almighty and Glorious. He said: The best means to draw near to Allah, the Almighty and Glorious, is obedience to Allah, obedience to His Messenger, and obedience to those in authority. Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him) said: Our love is faith and our hatred is disbelief. — OR — The Commander of the Faithful Ali (peace be upon him) said: Do not be the ones to begin greeting the People of the Scripture, but when they greet you, respond by saying 'And upon you.' — OR — I asked Abu Abdullah about the time of Maghrib, and he said: Gabriel (peace be upon him) came to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) with two times for every prayer except the Maghrib prayer, for its time is one and its obligation is one. — OR — Whatever the ropes catch and sever a part of it, or if it dies, it is considered carrion. — OR — The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) made a ruling regarding a man who held another intending to kill him, but the second man was fleeing from him. Another man intercepted and detained the fleeing man until the first came and killed him. The first man then killed the other who detained him. The Commander ruled that the one who detained him should be imprisoned forever until he dies therein because he held him to death.
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