I read with interest the letter by Saad Hashim entiled Muhammad mountain saying anti-Islam . I've learnt about this saying ('If the mountain does not come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain') ever since I was a child. My teacher use this saying to refer to those who expects benefits to be handed to them on a platter without making any effort whatsoever.

I was always under the impression that the name Muhammad is a common Arabic name and that the saying does not refer to the Prophet. The meaning was never meant to be anti-Islam. Perhaps Saad Hashim is more learned than I am in these matters.

Obviously, one should never say things that are offensive to others. However, one can sometimes cause offence even unintentionally. I spent a couple of years in Srinagar, Kashmir. Although the population is predominantly Muslim, there is also a sizeable Hindu population. In fact, India's first prime minister, Nehru, is a Kashimir pandit. (A pandit is a high-caste Hindu).

During my stay in Srinagar, people often greet each other with all sorts of salutations. One common greeting is "Assalaimalaikum". The polite reply is "Malaikum Salam". These greetings are used by both Muslims and non-Muslims. In fact, it is good manners to use such greetings when talking to a Muslim.

After spending many years in a variety of countries, I returned home to Malaysia. One morning, my office phone rang. When I answered, I heard the greeting "Assalaimalaikum" whereupon I replied, "Malaikum Salam". I surprised even myself because after so many years, my reply came as a reflex. I was also surprised by the reaction of the caller (a colleague) who berated me.

Apparently, he thought that only Muslims can use "Malaikum Salam". Fortunately, we have another foreign colleague in the office who happened to be an Iraqi who assured me that I did absolutely nothing wrong.

This is just one example of how one can cause offence when none was really intended. Therefore, I would not use the Muhammad mountain saying again; neither would I greet any Muslim with "Assalaimalaikum" - at least not in Malaysia.