Do you say Salam aleikum?
Well, this is a story of the muslim hijabi ladies in Istanbul. I was in Istanbul as a hijabi about 4 years ago, and what I found out was an amazing stuff for me. When I was wearing some "usual" coloured hijab and something, it didnt happen to me that anyone would say "salam aleikum", but when I was wearing a black abaya with black headscarf alwaaaaaaays a woman or a girl wearing the same (means black abaya + scarf) said Salam aleikum to me. This was the most lovely thing I ve ever seen- maybe you know, I am from the Czech republic and it is a big challenge to meet there any muslims, so I dont have anyone to receive salams from :)) and in Istanbul that was awesome...
This October I went to Istanbul again, with the goal to say salams to almost everyone who will look into my eyes. So I did. What I received was only very strange suspicious gazes of the muslim girls wearing usual headscarf, looking at me as I was an alien... but then when I was greeting the ladies in "black"- never mind if chador, abaya and headscarf or niqab- these would be the only one who would reply to me! Seriously! So I am asking myself and also you! Dont they know about the charity of saying salams to other muslims? But they were borned muslims, living in muslim country, not me... and how it happens that only the "women in black" replied. Do only they know sunnah? AND DO YOU GREET OTHER MUSLIMS WITH ASSALAMU ALEIKUM?
"When a greeting is offered you, answer it with an even better greeting, or (at least) with its like. God keeps count of all things."
[Surah an-Nur; 4: 86]
Reported from Abu Hurayrah that, “A man passed by the Messenger of Allaah (PBUH) whilst he was sitting with some others, and said “Salaam ‘alaykum (peace be upon you).” The Prophet said, “[he will have] 10 hasanat (rewards).” Another man passed by and said “Salaam ‘alaykum wa rahmat-Allaah (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah).” The Prophet said, “[he will have] 20 hasanat.” Another man passed by and said “Salam ‘alaykum wa rahmat-Allahi wa barakatuhu (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings).” The Prophet said, “[he will have] 30 hasanat.”
Buchari
