1. Do I understand this greeting correctly to mean "The Peace of God [Allah] be upon you"?

2. Is it, as I have spelled it, the correct american english spelling?

3a. I can bet that there are some Muslims that may think that I (as a Christian) am not being sincere if I greet them in this way. I have many close friends who are Muslims who say that most Muslims would accept the greeting as "fully" as they would accept it coming from another Muslim. Do you believe this is true?

3b. Are there instances where you would recommend that I (as one who is not Muslim) should not use this greeting to a Muslim?

I know I've asked a lot... please bear with me :)

Thanks

salam alaikum!

some people spell it different from others as you can see ^
personally I wouldn't be offended at all if a none muslim made salam to me. In fact it would make me happy!

Wa alaikum (wish you the same) Rick,

Here is a very detailed reply to your answer..
Rules of Greeting non-Muslims in Islam (Saying Salaam/Replying Salaam) By:Nurideen Lemu An-Nigeri at Suhaib Webb

And no it does not offend me in the least to be greeted this way by a non muslim.

About a non-muslim being insincere in greeting, this was a habit during the time of the Prophet (pbuh) for some non muslims to greet muslims and say "death be upon you" "As saam alaikum" and muslims were advised to reply "wa alaikum" "the same upon you",which was safe whether the greeting was of "salam" or "saam".

Good luck in your search for understanding :)

Edited to add:-
"As salaam alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatu"- is the full form of salam. A muslim is advised to reply in equal terms or more when greeted.
The meaning is "Upon you be peace,mercy and blessing of Allah"

If you apprached me and gave me salaam, I would give you salaam back :)

I mean.. your wishing me well, I wish you well.. how it should work, right?

Best of luck with it!

Wa laikum Salam

1. As-Salamu Alaykum is "Peace be upon You" but the entire greeting is As-Salamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatou which means "Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings"

2. Yes, that is one way it can be written. Another is As-Salamu Alaykum and the y in Alaykum is sometimes substituted with an I (in either spelling the first or the latter)

3a. I am a muslim and I would accept this greeting from you or any non muslim for that matter as many muslims should.

In Al Qur'an it says in 4:86 (Chapter:An-Nisa verse:86)
"When a (courteous) greeting is offered to you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or (at least) of equal cortesy. Allah takes careful account of all things. "

Example of this is: If Someone greets me with As-Salamu Alaykum I can either say Wa laykum Salam which would be offering a equal greeting back or I can be more courteous and say Wa laykum Salam Wa Rahmatullah or invoke the entire greeting.

3b. There are no instances that I personally feel you cannot invoke salams on a muslim for it is not a derogatory term, so it should not cause any offense and be accepted. In my opinion it actually helps break barriers and opens lines of communication (even thou our religions differ) where misconceptions or whatever else can be addressed.

Hopes this helps

It is also noteworthy, that the same general meaning, using almost identical sounding words, are used also in hebrew, Matese Christians, many African countries no matter what the religion. I have seen other sites argue over the 'correct' one - and they are all correct.

Can't imagine anyone taking it as anything other than a respectful, honest expression to them.

Thank you, Ynot!