Is There a Difference Between (عليكم السلام) and (وعليكم السلام) When Replying to the Greeting – Shaikh al-Albani

Question: Our Shaikh, what is the difference between (عليكم السلام) and (وعليكم السلام) ?

Shaikh: “There is no difference and both are allowed. However, perhaps what is better is [to add] the waw (و)”

[Silsilatul-Huda wan-Nur no. 164]

Translated by

Faisal bin Abdul Qaadir bin Hassan

Abu Sulaymaan