What is the correct format for replying to salam? [duplicate]

Question

While saying salam to others, nobody will say Wassalamu alaikum or Assalamu Walaikum. But, while replying I can hear different format like

• Wa alaikum Wassalam
• Wa alaikum Assalam
• Alaikum Wassalam
• Alaikum Assalam

Which one is correct?

Answer 1

It is:

Wa Alaikum Assalam

Wikipedia has some good explanation here and here.

Please note that there is a Hadith that requires you to return Salam same or better. That means if someone said:

Assalam-o-Alaikum Wa Rahmat-ul-Allah

You should say one of these:

- Wa Alaikum Assalam Wa Rahmat-ul-Allah 
- Wa Alaikum Assalam Wa Rahmat-ul-Allah Wa Barakatuhu

But just saying Wa Alaikum Assalam is not recommended.

Answer 2

Allah said, وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّواْ بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَآ أَوْ رُدُّوهَآ

(When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally.) meaning, if the Muslim greets you with the Salam, then return the greeting with a better Salam, or at least equal to the Salam that was given. Therefore, the better Salam is recommended, while returning it equally is an obligation

If one says assalamualekum Then reply walekum assalam or walekum assalam vo rahmatullah If one says assalamualekum vo rahmatullah Then say walekum assalam vo rahmatullah or walekum assalam vo rahmatullahi vo barkatahu If one says assalamualekum vo rahmatullahi vo barkatahu. If one says saamualekum or other words simillar to salam then reply him with WA-ALYEKUM