Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers When meeting another Muslim

Say:

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

"May peace and Allah's mercy be upon you".

The other Muslims reply

وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلَامُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

"May peace and Allah's blessing be on you as well".

If the words وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ are not added in the greeting, then the reply is valid but when the related words are increased, the reward also increases. Once, a person entered the court of Prophet Mohammad (SAW.) and said

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ

Prophet Mohammad (SAW.) replied to the salaam and said that he had received ten rewards. The another greeted

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

Prophet Mohammad (SAW.) replied to the salaam and said that he had received twenty rewards. The another greeted

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

Prophet Mohammad (SAW.) replied to the salaam and said that he had received 30 rewards. Thereafter another person came and greeted and

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ وَمَغْفِرَتُهُ

Prophet Mohammad (SAW.) replied to the salaam and said that he had received 40 rewards and stated that as a rule that the reward increases in this manner. (Abu Dawood, Mishkat)

Return a greeting with at least the same amount of words with which the greeting one used. It is best that the amount of words is increased in the reply.

Allah says:

فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا