The best of people are those of my era, then those after, then those after them

Responding to an infidel's greeting

Question: Does responding to a Hindu's greeting with ''Ram Ram'' or ''Jai Ram'' constitute disbelief?

Answer:The Islamic greeting is ''As-salamu alaykum'' (السلام علیکم). Adopting a non-Islamic greeting is not permissible. If the infidel's greeting is merely a national or cultural expression, then adopting it is a sinful act. However, if it is a religious greeting, there is a risk of it leading to disbelief. Therefore, in response, one should say ''Hidayak Allah-ul-Islam'' (هداك اللّٰه الاسلام). 

(Jami'-ul-Fatawa, Volume: 3, Page: 342).