What is the importance of saying "wa alaykum salam" by adding the word “wa” at the beginning while answering a greeting?

What is the importance of saying "wa alaykum salam" by adding the word “wa” at the beginning while answering a greeting?

Dear Brother / Sister,

It is enough to say only "alaykum salam" while answering a greeting. To say "wa alaykum salam" is more virtuous. The following is stated in verse 86 of the chapter of an-Nisa:

“When a (courteous) greeting is offered you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or (at least) of equal courtesy. Allah takes careful account of all things.”

The interpretation of the verse is as follows in brief: Salam is a prayer of believers to one another and it is a sign of Islam. When a person greets by saying, “Assalamu alaykum” or “Salamun alaykum”, he is answered by saying “Wa alaykumussalam” in the same way or in a better way by adding “wa rahmatullah”. When a person greets by saying, “Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah”, he is answered in the same way or by adding “wa barakatuh”.

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