Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
A non-muslim friend of mine ask me this question: why is it then whenever she greeted a muslim – Assalamualaikum- it’s either that muslim don’t reply or he/she would just say salam? Firstly, what is the appropriate reply to the greet. Secondly, how do I actually explained to her without hurting her?
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
I pray this finds you in the best of health and spirits. The proper manners are to respond to even a non-Muslims specific greeting of “Assalamu alaikum,” by saying, “Walaikum” (“And upon you”). If they are bothered by this, there is nothing wrong with responding in full, by saying, “Walaikum assalam.” (Khadimi/Birgivi, al-Bariqa al-Mahmudiyya Sharh al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya)
Please see:
Fiqh of salams – What is the sunna of giving and returning salams?
And Allah alone gives success.
Faraz Rabbani