Replying to the greeting of a non-Muslim

Question

Does a person fall into kufr by saying “Ram Ram” (a Hindu greeting invoking the name of Rama) to a Hindu or by receiving it from him, or by saying “Jai Ram” (a Hindu greeting: “glory to Rama”)?

Answer

The Islamic symbol (shi‘ar) of greeting is “as-salamu ‘alaykum”; adopting a non-Islamic symbol is not permissible. Further, if that foreign symbol is merely a national (communal) one, adopting it is a sin (ma‘siya); and if it is a religious symbol, there is a danger of it reaching the point of kufr.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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