The correct greeting *السلام علیکم* (As-Salāmu ʿalaykum) is based on the teachings of the *Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)*, as found in the *Hadith*. Reference: The greeting *السلام علیکم* is mentioned in several Hadiths. One well-known reference is: - *Sahih Muslim*: The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "When one of you meets his brother, let him greet him with *السلام علیکم*." This greeting is a Sunnah (a tradition of the Prophet) and is widely used by Muslims to wish peace, mercy, and blessings upon the person they greet. The *"و"* (and) is not included between *السلام* and *علیکم* in the greeting because that is not the correct structure. The *"و"* is used in responses like *وَعَلَیْکُمْ السلام* (Wa ʿalaykum as-Salam), which means "And upon you be peace." So, *السلام علیکم* is the correct greeting, and it is supported by authentic Islamic sources.