This is common among Muslims whether they speak Arabic, or other languages.
The Quran says in Verse 86 of Surah An-Nisa: “Answer a greeting in kinder words than those said to you in the greeting or at least as kind. God keeps account of all things.”
Greeting one another helps promote friendship and peace among people, provided that it originates from hearts and is not just in word. According to the Quran, those who enter paradise are greeted with Salaam and this greeting has for centuries been common among Muslims in various lands who speak different languages.
The word Salaam is very rich and contains intricate meanings and reminds everyone of beautiful and joyful moments.
First, Salaam, which means peace, is a name of God: “He is the only Lord, the King, the Holy, the Peace, the Forgiver, the Watchful Guardian, the Majestic, the Dominant, and the Exalted. God is too exalted to have any partner.” (Verse 23 of Surah Al-Hashr)
The Quran also says: “Theirs is the abode of peace with their Lord.” (Verse 127 of Surah Al-Anaam)
Paradise is the abode of peace because it is a place of peace and security where no one has any enmity with anyone.
Second, the word Salaam means peace and friendship that should be established among people, cities and countries.
Third, Salaam is from the same root that the world Salama (health) originates from. When someone greets you with Salaam, he is wishing you health and also says there will be no harm to you from him.
Among the words used for greeting in other languages, there is no word that has so extensive meanings as Salaam has.
According to Verse 86 of Surah An-Nisa, (which was mentioned above), when someone gives you a gift or does you a favor, you should try to return it by giving him something better. If this is observed in all areas, people will get more enriched and move toward more perfection with the help of one another.
If someone responds to Salaam in the same way, there would be nothing wrong with it. But if he responds with more, it would show that the person has not responded just out of politeness and compulsion. This is also confirmed as a psychological principle.
The highest gift for Arifs (mystics) is the Salaam from God that is sent for people in thousands of languages.
But there is also a Salaam from God that is the declaration of His existence and is heard every moment from every being and every single particle in the universe. Everyday, the sun sends a Salaam extending the extent of the sky and the earth and all are warmed by its Salaam. At night, the countless stars send Salaam. Every plant that grows and every flower that blooms and every wind that blows are all full of God’s Salaam.
However, ears are full of neglect (and do not hear it), except for a poet who sometimes hears the Salaam in the early morning breeze and sends back a Salaam.