FatwaPerlisEthics, Remembrance & Supplication
Bolehkah Ucapan Salam (Assalamualaikum), Diucapkan Bukan Dalam Bahasa Arab Dan Menjawabnya Juga Bukan Dalam Bahasa Arab? Bolehkah Juga Zikir-Zikir Lain Diucapkan Dalam Bahasa Selain Arab?
May the Islamic greeting be said and answered in a language other than Arabic, and may other remembrances (dhikr) be recited in non-Arabic languages?
Short answer
Salam in the sense of a greeting (tahiyyah) is valid in any language, and greetings such as good morning or good night carry reward.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Perlis State Mufti Department
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Panduan Hukum
- Topic
- Ethics, Remembrance & Supplication
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Salam in the sense of a greeting (tahiyyah) is valid in any language, and greetings such as good morning or good night carry reward. However, the salam that serves as the emblem of Muslims and a symbol of Muslim unity and identity should be said in Arabic. The ruling adds that the exact wording was also taught by the Prophet SAW.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Salam dengan maksud tahiyyah (ucapan penghormatan) atau greeting tertunai dalam semua Bahasa.
Read the full fatwa on the Perlis website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Perlis State Mufti Department. “Bolehkah Ucapan Salam (Assalamualaikum), Diucapkan Bukan Dalam Bahasa Arab Dan Menjawabnya Juga Bukan Dalam Bahasa Arab? Bolehkah Juga Zikir-Zikir Lain Diucapkan Dalam Bahasa Selain Arab?”, 23 June 2025. https://muftiperlis.gov.my/index.php/panduan-hukum/1133-bolehkah-ucapan-salam-assalamualaikum-diucapkan-bukan-dalam-bahasa-arab-dan-menjawabnya-juga-bukan-dalam-bahasa-arab-bolehkah-juga-zikir-zikir-lain-diucapkan-dalam-bahasa-selain-arab. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/salam-and-dhikr-in-non-arabic-languages/