Greeting Muslims saying: 'Peace be upon those who follow guidance'

Q: Is it permissible for a Muslim to greet their colleagues saying: "Al-Salamu `Ala Man Ittaba`a Al-Huda (Peace be upon those who follow the guidance)"?

A: A Muslim should maintain the rights of other Muslim brothers (Part No. 24; Page No. 114) and consider their feelings. A Muslim loves for fellow Muslims what they love for their own selves, just as reported in the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Also it should be noted that one of the wisdoms behind the Salam (Islamic greeting of peace) is to make Muslims feel their mutual good spirit and love, by wishing them the Peace, Mercy, and Blessings of Allah. There is no doubt that greeting Muslims saying: "Al-Salamu `Ala Man Ittaba`a Al-Huda" has a bad connotation which does not conform with the general principles of Muslim relations, sympathy, mutual love, and mercy toward one another. Muslims are like one body, and when any part of it aches, the entire body suffers fever and sleeplessness. They are like one building in which different parts support each other. The basic ruling is that Muslims are full of goodness. Therefore, a Muslim should not greet fellow Muslims in this manner because it is a greeting a caller to Islam uses to greet non-Muslims, as did the Prophet (peace be upon him).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.