#please take wikipedia's explanations and google search answers with a grain of salt

[graye]

Hello! Actually, OP this might not be all true! I just went ahead and checked with my mom (Islamic teacher) and my local Sheikh and Imam, and actually, it's quite the opposite!

Salam (سلام) isn't derived from Islam (اسلام). Both words are derived from the Arabic root word 'Sa-La-Ma'. Which is quite close to what you meant by s-l-m! Salama (سلامه) means 'Peace'! So, in turn, the root meaning of Islam means peace.

Back when Muhammad ﷺ began his mission, he had sent a couple of his Rusuls (messengers that spread the belief and religion) to the dominating leaders of each neighboring country. Some examples include the Roman leaders who took over Syria, Iran Al Furs in Iraq and etc.

When the Rusuls (messengers) arrived, the leaders, who were used to bloodshed and war, were greeted with 'As-Salamu-AlAikum'. Which actually means 'Peace upon you.' or the Google translation 'Peace be unto you.' These Rusuls explained to the expectant leaders that when we arrived, we have greeted you with peace, we are a religion of peace and so we spread it. They have not asked the prideful leaders to submit, that would have ended badly.

This is the reason why we now greet one another with 'As-Salamu-AlAikum'. The foundation of Islam is Peace. Not submission. Submission to Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala is part of the belief, that Allah (SWT) is the one true God who had created the universe and us, so we must find the want within ourselves to honor, respect and thank him through acts of worship.

If we said that Istislaam was the verb of the noun Islam, or God-forbid imply that the root meaning is submission, it would completely change the meaning of our greeting and lore of how it came to be.

You may not have meant it, seeing as this is a taught not a learnt idea, but the very concept of submission has very bad connotations with non-Muslims and already struggling Muslims. People don't like the concept of forcing someone into something, especially people in power. It's why the Rusuls understood this, chose their words carefully and greeted the non-Muslims with 'Peace be unto you'!

Though, this may be due to how different we both may have been brought up. I'm not blind to the fact that some religious teachers use fear of the afterlife and anger of Allah (SWT) to hammer in belief into people. Yeah, it's useful when used correctly but can you remember a time where it ever was? It's especially damaging when it's used to shame people from asking questions. It creates misconceptions that it's taboo to be curious and that ends up being taught instead of the teachings. EDIT: and the fear of asking questions creates ignorance (جهل)!

Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala is not just the 'Al-Mumeet' (Bringer of Death), 'Ad-Dharr' (The Distressor) and 'Al Muzil' (The Humiliator), he's also 'Al-Lateef' (The Most Gentle), 'Al-Ghafoor' (The Forgiving), 'Al-Shakoor' (The Most Appreciative), 'Al-Wadood' (The Most Loving) and 92 other nice names. I feel like most religious teachers forget that lmfao.

“islamophobia isnt a thing, you cant be scared of a religion” well clearly you’ve never seen the looks we get at airports