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abu mohammed wrote:

Yes, but this shows that they dont consider him to be a Muslim anymore.

The Prophet once replied to a Jew like that too.

According to Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah), even if the person was a Jew or a Christian, one should still reply properly.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: if the person is certain that the Dhimmi (Jew or Christian) is clearly saying 'al-salaamu 'alaykum' to him, and he has no doubts about that, should he say 'wa 'alayka al-salaam' or shorten it to 'wa 'alayk'? What is indicated by the evidence and principles of sharee'ah is that he should say 'wa 'alayka al-salaam', because this is more just, and Allaah commands us to be just and to treat others well... this does not contradict any of the ahaadeeth on this topic at all, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded us to shorten the greeting to 'wa 'alayk' because of the reason mentioned above, which is that they deliberately used to say 'al-saam 'alaykum' instead of 'al-salaam 'alaykum', as indicated in the hadeeth narrated by 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her). He said, "Do you not see that I say 'wa 'alaykum' when they say 'al-saam 'alaykum'?" Then he said, "If the People of the Book greet you with salaam, say, 'Wa 'alaykum.'"

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"... and when they come to you, they greet you with a greeting wherewith Allaah greets you not, and say within themselves, 'Why would All�h punish us not for what we say?'..." [al-Mujaadilah 58:8]

If this reason is not there, and the Jew or Christian says, 'Salaam 'alaykum wa rahmat-Allaah,' then it is only fair to respond in kind.

(Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah, 1/425, 426)

The hadeeth of 'Aa'ishah was narrated by al-Bukhaari (5901) and Muslim (2165)

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