Volume 8, Book 75, Number 404:
Narrated ‘Aisha:
The Jews used to greet the Prophet by saying, “As-Samu ‘Alaika (i.e., death be upon you), so I un –
derstood what they said, and I said to them, “As-Samu ‘alaikum wal-la’na (i.e. Death and Allah’s
Curse be upon you).” The Prophet said, “Be gentle and calm, O ‘Aisha, as Allah likes gentleness in all
affairs.” I said, “O Allah’s Prophet! Didn’t you hear what they said?” He said, “Didn’t you hear me an –
swering them back by saying, ‘Alaikum (i.e., the same be upon you)?”