Adaab

The gesture is associated with the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb of Indian subcontinent (aka, South Asia), especially of the Urdu-speaking communities of Uttar Pradesh, Hyderabadi Muslims, and Muhajir people of Pakistan.

History

Since the religious greeting of Muslims, i.e. "Assalamu Alaikum" was interpreted by some in India to be exclusive to Muslims only, and Muslims in India lived in a multi-faith and multi-lingual society, this alternative form of greeting was coined. Its use became so pervasive in the high culture of northern and central India that it was not considered inappropriate to reply to 'salam' with 'adaab' and vice versa and it was used frequently in non-Muslim households as well. The use of Adaab is especially popular in the Indian city of Hyderabad, where religious pluralism has been historically emphasized; the Nizam of the region stated: "Hindus and Muslims are like my two eyes... How can I favour one eye over the other?" In some localities of India, and especially in Pakistan (perhaps in part due to the Islamization of Pakistan enforced by the Zia-ul-Haq régime); the phrase and gesture has decreased in use because it is perceived as insufficiently Islamic compared to other greetings, though it is preferred by many who still use it due to its inclusive nature.