“ʿAlayhis Salām” (عليه السلام) is an Arabic phrase simply meaning “Peace be upon him.” When referring to a female, it becomes “ʿAlayhas Salām” (عليها السلام), meaning “Peace be upon her.” For multiple people, it is “ʿAlayhimus Salām” (عليهم السلام), meaning “Peace be upon them.”
The Qurān expresses peace upon prophets using the phrase “Salāmun ʿalā…” (سَلَامٌ عَلَىٰ), which literally means “Peace be upon…”. For example, it says,
سَلَامٌ عَلَىٰ نُوحٍ فِي الْعَالَمِينَ
“Peace be upon Noah among the worlds” (37:79), or –
سَلَامٌ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ
“Peace be upon Abraham” (37:109)
Although the Qurān does not use the exact phrase ʿAlayhis Salām, the meaning is clearly conveyed in these expressions. Based on these verses, Muslims have adopted the phrase ʿAlayhis Salām as a formal way to show respect and honour to the prophets.
This brings up a common question: can this phrase be used for people other than prophets? Is there any evidence for this practice, or does the Qurān offer any guidance?
The Quran states:
فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُم بُيُوتًا فَسَلِّمُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِكُمْ تَحِيَّةً مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ مُبَارَكَةً طَيِّبَةً
And when you enter houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allah, full of blessing and goodness. (24:61)
This verse shows that the greeting of peace — salām — is an order from Allah, not a man-made custom. He commands us to use it and describes it as blessed and pure.
It is also a dua. When you say “salāmun ʿalaykum”, you’re not just saying “hello” — you’re praying for that person’s peace, safety, and well-being. That’s exactly what a dua is — a prayer or request for good. The phrase ʿalayhis-salām is no different. When we say “ʿalayhis-salām” about a prophet, an Imam, or any righteous person, we are praying, “May peace be upon him.”
The Quran also says:
وَإِذَا جَاءَكَ الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِآيَاتِنَا فَقُلْ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ
And whenever you are approached by those who believe in Our Signs, say (to them): “Peace be upon you…” (6:54)
Here, Allah is directly commanding the Prophet (S) to say salām to sincere believers — not just to prophets. This again shows that salām is both a dua and a divine instruction. And if Allah tells the Prophet (S) to say salāmun ʿalaykum to the believers, how can it be wrong for us to say ʿalayhis-salām to those whom we know were among the most righteous?
In another verse Allah says:
أُولَٰئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ
They are the ones whom (salawat), blessings and mercy from their Nurturer is upon them and they are the guided ones. (2:157)
This verse refers to believers who go through hardships with patience. These people are not prophets, yet Allah grants them Salawat (peace, blessings, and mercy). Since Allah Himself bestows peace and blessings upon righteous non-prophets, it is permissible for believers to do the same.
The Quran also states:
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُصَلِّى عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتُهُۥ لِيُخْرِجَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ ۚ وَكَانَ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًۭا
He (Allah) is the One who sends blessings upon you, and His angels [do so as well], to bring you out of darkness into light. And He is Merciful to the believers. (33:43)
Again, this verse clearly affirms that Allah and His angels send blessings upon the believers, not only the prophets.
In another verse it states:
سَلَامٌ قَوْلًا مِّن رَّبٍّ رَّحِيمٍ
Peace — a word from a Merciful Lord. (36:58)
Here, Allah speaks peace upon the people of Heaven. If Allah greets the righteous with peace, then saying “ʿalayhis-salām” is simply a reflection of that same noble spirit. Saying salām and ʿalayhis-salām are both acts of dua and commands from Allah.
Among Sunni scholars there is unanimous agreement that “ʿAlayhis Salām” should be said for prophets, based on the way the Qurān honours them.
Some Sunni scholars permit saying ʿAlayhis Salām for angels, as they are honoured in Islam and mentioned in hadith sources (Musnad Ahmad Hadith 191, Book 2, Hadith 108).
Some Sunni scholars allow ʿAlayhas Salām for Sayyida Maryam (AS) because the Quran describes her as honoured among all women (3:42).
Some Sunni scholars also allow ʿAlayhis Salām for members of the Ahlul Bayt. For example:
In a famous hadith book (Hadith 3748): In the Arabic text, Imam Husayn is referred to as ʿAlayhis Salām, though this is not translated into English.
In another hadith book it refers to Sayiddah Fatimah as ʿAlayhas Salām in Arabic, but not in the English translation.
These examples indicate that the phrase has been used for non-prophets in Sunni sources, but the common Sunni practice is to say “Radiyallahu Anhu” (May Allah be pleased with him) instead.
In Shīʿa Islam, it is completely permissible and widely practiced to say ʿAlayhis Salām for people other than prophets. The phrase is used for the Imams of the Ahlul Bayt, Sayyida Fāṭimah, Sayyida Maryam, the angels, and others. This usage is well-documented in Shīʿa hadith literature, duʿās, and ziyārah books, where the expression is used as a form of honour and devotion.
In conclusion, while there are different scholarly views regarding the use of ʿAlayhis Salām for non-prophets, there is sound basis for this practice. The practice has valid evidence, and no one has the right to attack others for using it.
As Muslims, we should avoid condemning others over matters that are supported by valid scholarly opinions. Disagreements can exist without leading to division. Instead of attacking others for using the phrase ʿAlayhis Salām for non-prophets, we should seek knowledge, show respect, and recognise that differences in interpretation are part of the broader Islamic tradition.