39/4. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2165c — Do Not Use Harsh Words
The Prohibition Of Initiating The Greeting With The People Of The Book, And How To Respond To Them
Do Not Use Harsh Words: Hadith on Calm Reply
Sahih Muslim : 2165c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2165c
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ أَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أُنَاسٌ مِنَ الْيَهُودِ فَقَالُوا السَّامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَبَا الْقَاسِمِ . قَالَ " وَعَلَيْكُمْ " . قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ قُلْتُ بَلْ عَلَيْكُمُ السَّامُ وَالذَّامُ . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَا عَائِشَةُ لاَ تَكُونِي فَاحِشَةً " . فَقَالَتْ مَا سَمِعْتَ مَا قَالُوا فَقَالَ " أَوَلَيْسَ قَدْ رَدَدْتُ عَلَيْهِمُ الَّذِي قَالُوا قُلْتُ وَعَلَيْكُمْ " .
A'isha Narrated from:
Some Jews came to Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) and they said: Abu'l-Qasim (the Kunya of the Holy Prophet), as-Sam-u-'Alaikum, whereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Wa 'Alaikum. A'isha reported: In response to these words of theirs, I said: But let there be death upon you and disgrace also, whereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: 'A'isha, do not use harsh words. She said: Did you hear what they said? Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Did I not respond to them when they said that; I said to them: Wa 'Alaikum (let it be upon you).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2165cIn-book reference : Book 39, Hadith 13USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 26, Hadith 5386
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2165c
This Hadith reports that some Jews came to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and said as-Sam-u-Alaikum to him. He replied Wa Alaikum. A'isha answered them with strong words, mentioning death and disgrace upon them. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told her not to use harsh words. When she asked if he had heard what they said, he explained that he had already returned what they said by replying Wa Alaikum. The Hadith about harsh words teaches control in speech. It does not ignore the hurtful wording, but it also does not approve of an uncontrolled answer. The response remains short, firm, and calm.
What we learn from this hadith
- Harsh words are discouraged in this report.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) answered harmful speech with a measured reply.
- A person can respond without letting anger control the tongue.
