Is stating 'Salamun 'Alaykum' (indefinite/nunated) valid for the greeting?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
The statement 'Salamun 'Alaykum' (indefinite/nunated) is sufficient and valid. This is the established position of Al-Shafi'i. The justification is that the indefinite form (nunation) replaces the definite article ('Al-') and aligns with Quranic usage where the greeting appears without the definite article, such as in Quran 13:24 ("Salamun 'Alaykum bima Sabartum"), Quran 16:32 ("Yaquluna Salamun 'Alaykum"), and Quran 39:73 ("Wa Qala Lahum Khazanatuha Salamun 'Alaykum"). Furthermore, validity is established by permitting the Tashahhud forms recorded from Ibn Abbas and Abu Musa which contained 'Salamun 'Alayka' (without the definite article), and the two final salutations (Taslim) are considered equivalent.
Supporting text
It is not sufficient because stating it indefinitely alters the prescribed form of the greeting and omits a letter that implies completeness, thereby changing the meaning. This is analogous to affirming the definite article 'Lam' in the Takbir (Allahu Akbar).