42/12. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2701 — Gentleness in Salam and Speech
What Has Been Related About It Being Disliked To Give The Salam To The Dhimmi
Hadith About Gentleness in Speech and Salam
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2701
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2701
حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْمَخْزُومِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ إِنَّ رَهْطًا مِنَ الْيَهُودِ دَخَلُوا عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالُوا السَّامُ عَلَيْكَ . فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " عَلَيْكُمْ " . فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُلْتُ بَلْ عَلَيْكُمُ السَّامُ وَاللَّعْنَةُ . فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَا عَائِشَةُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ فِي الأَمْرِ كُلِّهِ " . قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ أَلَمْ تَسْمَعْ مَا قَالُوا قَالَ " قَدْ قُلْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ " . وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَبِي بَصْرَةَ الْغِفَارِيِّ وَابْنِ عُمَرَ وَأَنَسٍ وَأَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْجُهَنِيِّ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ عَائِشَةَ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
A'isha Narrated from:
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.'"
[1] Meaning if they said this or that, I have returned with its like.Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2701In-book reference : Book 42, Hadith 14English translation : Vol. 5, Book 40, Hadith 2701
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2701
This hadith about gentleness in speech shows how the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم answered hurtful words with calm control. A group of Jews said words that sounded like a greeting but meant death. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم replied with only “and upon you.” Aishah responded more strongly because she heard what they said. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then taught her a clear lesson: Allah loves gentleness in every matter. The main message is not weakness. It is self-control. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not ignore the insult, but he did not let anger lead his words. This makes the hadith about replying to insults in Islam very practical. It teaches that a believer can answer firmly while keeping the tongue clean and measured.
What we learn from this hadith
- Gentleness is loved by Allah in every matter, as stated in the hadith.
- A Muslim should not let harsh words push the tongue into excess.
- A short, controlled reply can be enough when facing insult.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم corrected Aishah with kindness and a clear reason.
