Question
If somebody begins his e-mail or his SMS (text message to a phone) with Assalamu aleikum, will it be wajib for the recipient to reply with wa alaikum salam?
And what about the sender just writes Salam rather than Assalamu aleikum, will it be wajib to reply in this case?
What if the person sent the message and you read it after he dies?
Answer
If somebody begins his e-mail or SMS with “Assalaamu ‘Alaikum,” it will be Waajib (necessary) for the recipient to reply with “Wa ‘Alaikumus Salaam.” However, it will be preferable to reply verbally as soon as one reads the message, because it is possible that one may not get a chance to reply to the e-mail/SMS, which in turn will cause him to be sinful due to leaving out a Waajib.
If somebody begins his e-mail or SMS with “Salam,” rather than with “Assalaamu ‘Alaikum,” it will not be Waajib (necessary) for the recipient to reply in this scenario. The reason being is that this type of greeting is against the Sunnah, and in actual fact, is not recognized by Shari’ah as a greeting.
In the scenario where the person sent the message, but the message was read only after the person has passed away, it will be Waajib (necessary) to verbally reply to the Salaam at that given moment. A person should also make the intention of Du’a (supplication) for the deceased while replying to the Salaam, as this will be beneficial for the deceased In Shaa Allah.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
References
رد الحتار ج٦ ص١٥ ٤- ١٦ ٤
Ahsanul Fataawa pg.137vol.8