that a group of Jews entered upon the Prophet (ﷺ) and they said: "As-Samu 'Alaik (death be upon you)." So the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Wa 'Alaik (And upon you)." So 'Aishah said: "I said: '[Rather] upon you be death and the curse.'" So the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "O 'Aishah! Indeed Allah loves gentleness in every matter." 'Aishah said: "Did you not hear what they said?" He said: "And I replied: 'And upon you.'"
Hadith Commentary
This narration from Jami' at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 2701) demonstrates the Prophet's exemplary character in dealing with offensive behavior. When the Jews offered the malicious greeting "As-Samu 'Alaik" (death be upon you), the Prophet responded with measured restraint, saying only "Wa 'Alaik" (and upon you).
Prophetic Gentleness
The Prophet's response reflects the Islamic principle of responding to evil with goodness, or at minimum, with equal measure without transgression. His gentle reply transformed what could have been a confrontation into a teaching moment.
When 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reacted strongly, the Prophet corrected her by emphasizing that Allah loves gentleness in every matter - indicating that harshness should not be our default response even when provoked.
Scholarly Insights
Classical scholars note that the Prophet's response maintained the dignity of Islam while avoiding escalation. His words "And upon you" served as both a response and a prayer - if they meant evil, it would return to them, but if it was merely their customary greeting, he responded in kind.
This incident establishes that while Muslims must maintain self-respect, they should prioritize wisdom and gentle conduct over emotional reactions, embodying the Quranic instruction to "repel evil with that which is better."