Salam to Non-Muslim. Sinful??

Assalamualaikum

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Let's go straight to the point. As a Chinese convert woman, when my family (non-muslim) give salam to me, why I shouldn't answer? Why I can't give salam to them as well? Could you help explain so that I can share with my fellow friends and especially my husband.My husband told me that it is not right or in other words 'berdosa' to do so. I can't accept that. To my understanding the meaning of 'Assalamualaikum w.b.t.' is 'Peace and the Mercy and Blessings of God be upon you.' Why can't I wish peace to my parents and friends who are not muslim? I thought Islam is a easy to follow religion. Why people tends to make it so complicated?You may want to view this post/discussion

http://www.drliew.net/mt/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=340Please do help Ustaz to explain so I could understand more clearly as I do not want to disobey my husband too. But at the same time, I do not want to be mislead. Wassalam.
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KAEDAH KECEMERLANGAN: BERSIKAP LUNAKLAH DGN BUKAN ISLAM YG TIDAK MEMUSUHI MUSLIM. IA ADALAH SUARA DAKWAH
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Salam is not just a greeting. It is an Islamic greeting prescribed by Allah. Basically, it is better not to initiate the specific salam to a non-Muslim. The Prophet said: "Do not initiate the greeting of Salam to a Jew or a Christian." (Narrated by Muslim) However, to greet them by using a different version eg "peace be upon you" is permissible.To expand this issue, what happens if a non Muslim were to greet a Muslim with the salam. If a non Muslim greets a Muslim with words which are not clear to a Muslim, just respond by saying, 'wa alaikum' meaning 'same be upon you.'This is based on the Prophet's saying: "When the Jews greet you, they say ‘as-samu alaikum (may death be upon you),' and you respond by saying 'wa alaikum (i.e. and also upon you).'" (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim) However, if a non-Muslim greets a Muslim with the correct Islamic salam (i.e. by saying ‘as-salamu alaikum'), the scholars differed as to whether the Muslim has to return the greeting. The majority of scholars maintain that Muslims do have to return such greeting, and this is the correct view. According to Ibn Al-Qayyim: "The (Muslim scholars) differed as to whether it is obligatory to return the greeting or not. The majority said that it is obligatory and this is the correct view. A group of scholars said that it is not obligatory to return such greeting, just as it is not obligatory to return the greeting of those who follow bidaah. But the correct view is the first one." (Zad Al-Ma`ad, 2/425, 426) This is based on the Quranic verse: "When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally." (An-Nisa verse 86) Ibn Al-Qayyim also said: "If a Muslim is certain that the words used by zimmi non Muslim in greeting him are ‘as-salamu alaikum’, should he say ‘wa alaika as-salam’ or shorten it to ‘wa alaik’? According to the principles of Syariah, he should say ‘wa alaika as-salam’, because this is more just, and Allah commands us to be just and to treat others well." (Ahkam Ahl Adh-Dhimmah, 1/425, 426)

Dr. Danial Zainal Abidin (M.B.Ch.B; Universiti Alexandria)Pengamal Perubatan 20 Tahun, Pengarah Urusan Danial Zainal Consultancy, Motivator Radio Mutiara FM Pulau Pinang, Penulis 10 buah buku, Kolumnis Majalah i, Pemudah Cara Pelbagai Korporat...