Definition: A common greeting among Muslims, meaning "Peace be with you." The appropriate response is "Wa alaikum assalaam" (And upon you be peace.)
Extended forms include "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah" (May the peace and mercy of Allah be with you) and "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh" (May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be with you).
Pronunciation: as-salam-u-alay-koom
Alternate Spellings: salaam alaykum, assalaam alaykum, assalaam alaikum, and others
