Saying "Salam" is not the same as saying "Assalamu-Alaikum"

A VERY CRUCIAL REMINDER!! PLEASE SPREAD THIS MESSAGE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ACROSS THE UMMAH..

How many of us do this? This has become very common, more than speaking it has become a norm during typing and chatting.

Saying "Salam" is not the same as saying "Assalamu-Alaikum" and one will not get the reward of saying "Assalamu-Alaikum" by saying "Salam". Moreover, when someone is greeted with "Assalamu-Alaikum", it is compulsory on him to reply (by at least saying "Wa-Alaikumas-Salaam" etc). However, if one is greeted with "salam", it is not compulsory to reply. This is because saying only "salam" is not the sunnah method of greeting someone.
The above also applies to writing and texting "salam".

Allah says in the Noble Qur'an;
"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally. Certainly, Allah is Ever a Careful Account Taker of all things."
(An-Nisa 4:86)

Ibn Katheer raheemahullaah explained this verse by saying: "If the person greeted you with the Salaam you should reply in a better form, or reply similarly. However, the extended form is preferable, but the shorter is compulsory. Which means that greeting is preferable but the greeting in return is compulsory, and it should be in the form of the Salaam and not in any other form."

Narrated Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Allah created Adam, making him 60 cubits tall. When He created him, He said to him, "Go and greet that group of angels, and listen to their reply, for it will be your greeting (salutation) and the greeting (salutation) of your offspring." So, Adam said (to the angels), As-Salamu Alaikum (i.e. Peace be upon you). The angels said, "As-salamu Alaika wa Rahmatu-l-lahi" (i.e. Peace and Allah's Mercy be upon you). Thus the angels added to Adam's salutation the expression, 'Wa Rahmatu-l-lahi.' Any person who will enter Paradise will resemble Adam (in appearance and figure). People have been decreasing in stature since Adam's creation. [Sahih Bukhari 4 #543]

Allah says in the Nobel Quran; "When those who believe in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) come to you, say: (peace be on you); your Lord has written Mercy for Himself, so that, if any of you does evil in ignorance, and thereafter repents and does righteous good deeds (by obeying Allah), then surely, He is Oft­-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
(Surah Al-An'am 6:54)

Narrated Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), observed: You shall not enter paradise so long as you do not affirm belief (in all those things which are the articles of faith) and you will not believe as long as you do not love one another. Should I not direct you to a thing which, if you do, will foster love amongst you: (i.e.) give currency to (the practice of paying salutation to one another by saying) As-Salamu-Alaikum. [Sahih Muslim]

Spread the knowledge so it will be Sadqa-e-Jaaria for you and for me... In'Shaa'Allah.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever directs someone to a good, then he will have the reward equal to the doer of the action.” [Muslim 1893]