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pbuh

InvestigateTruth

Well-Known Member
For those who don't already know, "pbuh" is an acronym for "peace be upon him."

Why do people find it necessary to place this after then name of a prophet or messenger when writing or speaking their name? I commonly see this used when Muslims speak of Muhammed, and less frequently see it used with others, such as Jesus (okay, I only saw this once).

Why must this be said or written when speaking of such a person? Are they somehow deserving of more peace than anyone else when their body perishes? Why is it not just assumed?

I don't know if this is translated correctly. probably should be greeting upon him

علیه السلام
 

firedragon

Veteran Member
For those who don't already know, "pbuh" is an acronym for "peace be upon him."

Why do people find it necessary to place this after then name of a prophet or messenger when writing or speaking their name? I commonly see this used when Muslims speak of Muhammed, and less frequently see it used with others, such as Jesus (okay, I only saw this once).

Why must this be said or written when speaking of such a person? Are they somehow deserving of more peace than anyone else when their body perishes? Why is it not just assumed?

You know brother, this is simple sociology. Pls follow me if you dont mind.

Where I grew up we are taught to greatly respect our teachers. When we call our teachers "Miss" its a phrase of great respect. It is impossible to call someone like that by name. Impossible.

Muslims generally grow up addressing the prophet Muhammed with SAL or PBUH what ever language you choose. Its very difficult not to. Actually it is next to impossible to address someone you respect so much without some statement like that. For a number of years I had the difficulty to address my professors and lecturers with anything but "prof" or at least an ending with "Sir".

But, when you grow up and see more people call these esteemed professors by name like lets say "Richard Bauckham". All over the internet we see people refer to him as Richard Baukham or just Baukham with no Prof or even a Mister. So when you see this for a number of years you get used to saying the name just like that.

That happened to me with Jesus.

But when we were kids, we would be scolded or even punished if we say "Isa" without adding SAL or at least Alaihissalaam. Now it doesnt feel so bad because almost everyone just says "Jesus".

Hope you understand.
 

Eyes to See

Well-Known Member
For those who don't already know, "pbuh" is an acronym for "peace be upon him."

Why do people find it necessary to place this after then name of a prophet or messenger when writing or speaking their name? I commonly see this used when Muslims speak of Muhammed, and less frequently see it used with others, such as Jesus (okay, I only saw this once).

Why must this be said or written when speaking of such a person? Are they somehow deserving of more peace than anyone else when their body perishes? Why is it not just assumed?

I know in Arabic the common greeting is Salam Alakom. I used to worked with several Arabs and I wouldn't mind greeting them in such a fashion, it means Peace of God be with you, or something like that. I know Salam is peace, and Allah is God. In Hebrew they say Shalom. Which means peace.

In Spanish when people say goodbye they say adios. Most English speaking people know the term. But what they may not know is that "a dios" means "to God" and is a shortened way of saying "via con Dios" which means "go with God." I speak with native Spanish speakers and they don't even realize they are saying a blessing sending people with God when they say adios. I haven't found one native speaker that gets it. haha.

Even in English when we greet we say "good morning" and when we depart in the evening we may say "good night." It originally came from "God give you a good night" and as such was a blessing. Those were politer times, people may still say such greetings out of custom, but many have lost the understanding of their origins. It came from a time most people still believed in God and greeted each other and bid their adieus (also meaning go with God, haha pun intened) with blessings that God be with them and go with them and protect them while they were apart.
 

Jedster

Well-Known Member
I know in Arabic the common greeting is Salam Alakom. I used to worked with several Arabs and I wouldn't mind greeting them in such a fashion, it means Peace of God be with you, or something like that. I know Salam is peace, and Allah is God. In Hebrew they say Shalom. Which means peace.

In Spanish when people say goodbye they say adios. Most English speaking people know the term. But what they may not know is that "a dios" means "to God" and is a shortened way of saying "via con Dios" which means "go with God." I speak with native Spanish speakers and they don't even realize they are saying a blessing sending people with God when they say adios. I haven't found one native speaker that gets it. haha.
....
PMFJI Goodbye is a contraction of God be with ye]
 

exchemist

Veteran Member
Yes, but why? Why do you not put this after others deserving of respect or honor? When you were Buddhist, did you say, "Buddha (pbuh)?"
Surely this is just Arabic politeness, isn't it? After all, the standard greeting in Arabic is as-salaamu 'aleikum, which means "peace be upon you". So it is little more than extending this courtesy to a third party thought specially worthy of respect.

Perhaps not dissimilar, in intent, to forms such as "Our Lord Jesus Christ", in Christianity, or the custom of bowing one's head when saying the name of Jesus.
 

exchemist

Veteran Member
I know in Arabic the common greeting is Salam Alakom. I used to worked with several Arabs and I wouldn't mind greeting them in such a fashion, it means Peace of God be with you, or something like that. I know Salam is peace, and Allah is God. In Hebrew they say Shalom. Which means peace.

In Spanish when people say goodbye they say adios. Most English speaking people know the term. But what they may not know is that "a dios" means "to God" and is a shortened way of saying "via con Dios" which means "go with God." I speak with native Spanish speakers and they don't even realize they are saying a blessing sending people with God when they say adios. I haven't found one native speaker that gets it. haha.

Even in English when we greet we say "good morning" and when we depart in the evening we may say "good night." It originally came from "God give you a good night" and as such was a blessing. Those were politer times, people may still say such greetings out of custom, but many have lost the understanding of their origins. It came from a time most people still believed in God and greeted each other and bid their adieus (also meaning go with God, haha pun intened) with blessings that God be with them and go with them and protect them while they were apart.
Curiously, though, the French "A Dieu" is reserved for a final farewell, to someone one does not expect to see again, in deliberate contrast to "Au revoir". From what you say, Spanish is different in this respect.
 

firedragon

Veteran Member
I know in Arabic the common greeting is Salam Alakom. I used to worked with several Arabs and I wouldn't mind greeting them in such a fashion, it means Peace of God be with you, or something like that. I know Salam is peace, and Allah is God. In Hebrew they say Shalom. Which means peace.

There is no God or Allah in the statement Assalamu Alaikum. Its Al=The. Salam=peace. Ala=Upon. It just means Peace be upon you.

You are absolutely right. Salam alaikum in Arabic = Shalom Alaikhem in Hebrew. (I don't know Hebrew)
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
Being part of a system of systemic racism, for instance, does not mean you play no role in it, whether or not you overtly engage in it. A systemic problem, is every participant's problem. It is part of the lineage's history, and therefore you own it in one way or another.

Has Islam denounced this unjust past? That might mean something.

Do you have to agree and take responsibility of murder because your religious peers done so in the past?

Of course we are part of our history from pagans, Christians, and the endless "opinions" of politics that end in hate, death, and such.

I'd say there is a difference between taking on history and being responsible for it. Catholics take on the history of thousands of deaths but that doesn't mean all 100% Catholics in 2020 support what their ancestors did.

Religious should accept that they are part of a harsh history and a lot of it shapes their religious theology but their individual spiritual path shouldn't be defined by it.
 
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firedragon

Veteran Member
Literally yes, it means peace be upon Him.

But, when Muslims say Salaam, they are just saying hello! They don't really mean to say peace be upon you, even though this word literall means peace. Right!

Not really. When they say Salaam they very well know exactly what they are saying. If they wish to give a casual hello they will say Marhaban Bik, Kayfa haalak or just Marhaban depending on the statement.
 

InvestigateTruth

Well-Known Member
Not really. When they say Salaam they very well know exactly what they are saying. If they wish to give a casual hello they will say Marhaban Bik, Kayfa haalak or just Marhaban depending on the statement.
What you are saying is probably true for some Arabs. In Iran, for example, Salaam, just means hello. No body is saying it to mean peace be upon you. The same is probably true about other non arab Muslims.
 

firedragon

Veteran Member
What you are saying is probably true for some Arabs. In Iran, for example, Salaam, just means hello. No body is saying it to mean peace be upon you. The same is probably true about other non arab Muslims.

Actually what you say has some truth in it. But its very difficult to generalise it to non-arab muslims as well. Non-arab Muslims speak in other languages so they have all kinds of greetings, not only a Salam. But when they use "Salam" they are very much aware what they mean. Its just that since it comes out as a habit one may think its a simple hello. Since its so common, yes its a simple hello. But they absolutely know what they are saying, and they know that its not just a "hello".

When you speak to a Muslim you would see that when they greet you with anything else, like a hello, marhaban, or what ever it maybe, the tone is completely different. But when they say Assalamu Alaikum their tone is different. Especially the response, wa alaikum salaam, when saying, they mean it. That drag in the pronunciation shows the appreciation to someone who just gave them salaam. Not just a hello.
 

Clara Tea

Well-Known Member
For those who don't already know, "pbuh" is an acronym for "peace be upon him."

Why do people find it necessary to place this after then name of a prophet or messenger when writing or speaking their name? I commonly see this used when Muslims speak of Muhammed, and less frequently see it used with others, such as Jesus (okay, I only saw this once).

Why must this be said or written when speaking of such a person? Are they somehow deserving of more peace than anyone else when their body perishes? Why is it not just assumed?

The Mikkado was a ruthless dictator who had insisted on a quota of killed prisoners (which was not horrible, if there were enough guilty). The few who had dared to work under the Mikkado found themselves at the end of a chopping axe, hence all subservient positions were suddenly made available. A prisoner, condemned to death for a minor infraction was given the choice of serving (and soon dying) or dying immediately. He soon became Poohbah, Lord High Everything (filling every seat vacated by assassination). In his short tenure, he sought the right punishments for the right crimes, and had ordered the quota of dead bodies, once again. But, traveling through the Kindom of Tittipooh, his son, disguised as a begger to keep back the crowds, was taken as a carpetbagger. Was he killed, boomed the Mikado? Why, yes, stuttered Poobah, and it was quite amazing that he had recognized a man of my impeccable breeding (when I chopped off his head, the head stood on its neck and bowed three times to me). With such believable words, the Mikkado slumped in despair at the death of his son. Thus, carrying out the orders of the Mikkado was as bad as defying him. Peace comes to the dead, but, even in death is the unsettling specter of wrongdoing.
 
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