Question:
If Muslims believe that no human being has special divine power to bless others, then why do Muslims greet each other with “Assalamu Alaikum” (peace be upon you)? Isn’t that also a kind of blessing?
Answer:
In Islamic belief, it is not possible to determine which human being is closest to God. A person may appear very religious outwardly but may not actually be sincere inside. Another person who appears ordinary may be much closer to God. Only God knows what is in a person’s heart.
Because of this, Islam discourages treating any human being as if they possess divine power to bless others. When people go to religious leaders and ask them to give blessings, it implies that those leaders have a special spiritual power that others do not have. Islam rejects that idea. No human being should be elevated to a divine level.
That is why Muslims do not ask religious leaders for blessings in the sense of believing they have supernatural authority. Even if someone is a respected scholar or religious teacher, Muslims do not believe that his words alone can guarantee divine favor.
The greeting “Assalamu Alaikum” is different from a blessing. It is actually a mutual prayer. When one person says “Assalamu Alaikum” it means, “May peace be upon you.” The other person replies “Wa Alaikum Assalam”, meaning, “May peace also be upon you.” Both individuals are praying for each other. It is a two-way expression of goodwill, not a one-sided blessing.
In a traditional blessing system, one person is considered superior and the other inferior. The superior person gives the blessing, and the inferior person receives it. Islam rejects this hierarchy. Instead, greetings emphasize equality: both people pray for each other’s well-being.
Therefore, the greeting “Assalamu Alaikum” represents equality and mutual prayer. And not a belief, that one human being has divine authority over another.
Islam teaches that no human being should bow before another or consider another person spiritually superior in a way that resembles worship. Every human being stands equal before God, and only God has the power to grant blessings or answer prayers.