Narrated `Aisha: The Jews used to greet the Prophet by saying, As-Samu 'Alaika (i.e., death be upon you), so I understood 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 answering them back by saying, 'Alaikum (i.e., the same be upon you)?