The Greeting of Salaam.

[MurtezaAFG]

As-salamu 'alaykum wa rah-matul lah brothers and sisters.

I have a question regarding the greeting of Salaam.
Is it mandatory to say Salaam to all Muslims? What about saying Salaam to non-Muslims; I have heard that one should not give Salaam to Christians and Jews (non-believers) because it is a greeting of honour and non-believers are not deserving.
I find this to be silly because when saying Salaam, you are invoking peace from the get go, which is the point of Islam.
Nonetheless, I would like to hear other people's point of view.

Another thing I would like some advice on is a problem I am personally having at home.
My older brother and I have not been getting along the past few years and it has recently gotten so bad that if we spend too much time in the same house, conflicts occur.
The other day he got mad at me for a trivial and innocent mistake; he cursed me and said that he does not want me to say Salaam to him anymore and to never speak to him, only problem is that he lives in the same house as me.

My question is am I still required to give Salaam even though he directly told me not to?
On one level I wish to say it to upset him because he told me specifically not to, and on another I feel an almost obligation because walking into a house with another adult male and not acknowledging the other's existent creates a very thick and uncomfortable atmosphere; in addition to this, by saying Salaam and invoking peace, any ill actions or words on his behalf would only make him look bad in both the eyes of fellow man and Allah, would it not?
Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing your advice.

-Murteza

[Ruhi_Rose]

Walaiykum As-Salam again brother Murteza.

We personally don't consider it wrong at all to say "salam" to a non-Muslim.  The Quranic greeting "salam" simply means 'peace and blessings.'   As a gesture of courtesy or etiquette, peace & blessings can be invoked on any fellow human being, not necessarily only on Muslims.  Allah Almighty states in the Quran that we must always wish "salam" to others when we enter their homes.  It also includes saying "salam" to our own folks when we enter our homes.  Allah never said not to say "salam" to a non-Muslim.  I don't know from where this idea arose in the minds of traditionalists. 

Concerning the second point, I'm truly sorry to learn of your situation at home.  If your greeting antagonizes your brother as much as that, then it's better you don't greet him and stay silent.  The purpose of 'salam' is to help establish a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, not to instigate a fight.    

I hope, InshAllah, your parents and the elders of your family are able to talk to both of you and resolve the problem for a healthier and happier atmosphere at home which is hugely important. 

[MurtezaAFG]

Walaiykum As-Salam again brother Murteza.

We personally don't consider it wrong at all to say "salam" to a non-Muslim.  The Quranic greeting "salam" simply means 'peace and blessings.'   As a gesture of courtesy or etiquette, peace & blessings can be invoked on any fellow human being, not necessarily only on Muslims.  Allah Almighty states in the Quran that we must always wish "salam" to others when we enter their homes.  It also includes saying "salam" to our own folks when we enter our homes.  Allah never said not to say "salam" to a non-Muslim.  I don't know from where this idea arose in the minds of traditionalists.

Concerning the second point, I'm truly sorry to learn of your situation at home.  If your greeting antagonizes your brother as much as that, then it's better you don't greet him and stay silent.  The purpose of 'salam' is to help establish a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, not to instigate a fight.   

I hope, InshAllah, your parents and the elders of your family are able to talk to both of you and resolve the problem for a healthier and happier atmosphere at home which is hugely important.  

Thanks again sister Ruhi_Rose.
Unfortunately my problem with my brother goes deeper than that and it's out of the control of other family members, even the elders of the family. He's a grown man and only Allah can help him see his wrong doings.