Allah's Apostle said, ''When the Jews greet you, they usually say, As-Samu alaikum (Death be on you),' so you should say (in reply to them), Wa'alaikum (And on you).''
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)?''
(the wife of the Prophet) A group of Jews entered upon the Prophet and said, ''As-Samu-Alaikum.'' (i.e. death be upon you). I understood it and said, ''Wa-Alaikum As-Samu wal-la'n. (death and the curse of Allah be Upon you).'' Allah's Apostle said ''Be calm, O Aisha! Allah loves that on, should be kind and lenient in all matters.'' I said, ''O Allah's Apostle! Haven't you heard what they (the Jews) have said?'' Allah's Apostle said ''I have (already) said (to them) ''And upon you ! ''
A group of Jews came to Allah's Apostle and said, ''As-samu Alaika '' (Death be on you), and I understood it and said to them, ''Alaikum AsSamu wa-l-la'na (Death and curse be on you).'' Allah's Apostle said, ''Be calm! O Aisha, for Allah loves that one should be kind and lenient in all matters.'' I said. ''O Allah's Apostle! Haven't you heard what they have said?'' Allah's Apostle said, ''I have (already) said (to them), Alaikum (upon you).' ''
A Jew passed by Allah's Apostle and said, ''As-Samu Alaika.'' Allah's Apostle said in reply, ''We Alaika.'' Allah's Apostle then said to his companions, ''Do you know what he (the Jew) has said? He said, As-Samu Alaika.''' They said, ''O Allah's Apostle! Shall we kill him?'' The Prophet, said, ''No. When the people of the Book greet you, say: Wa Alaikum.'''
A group of Jews asked permission to visit the Prophet (and when they were admitted) they said, ''As-Samu Alaika (Death be upon you).'' I said (to them), ''But death and the curse of Allah be upon you!'' The Prophet said, ''O Aisha! Allah is kind and lenient and likes that one should be kind and lenient in all matters.'' I said, ''Haven't you heard what they said?'' He said, ''I said (to them), Wa Alaikum (and upon you).
Aisha said that the Jews came to the Prophet and said, ''As-Samu Alaikum'' (death be on you). Aisha said (to them), ''(Death) be on you, and may Allah curse you and shower His wrath upon you!'' The Prophet said, ''Be calm, O Aisha ! You should be kind and lenient, and beware of harshness and Fuhsh (i.e. bad words).'' She said (to the Prophet), ''Haven't you heard what they (Jews) have said?'' He said, ''Haven't you heard what I have said (to them)? I said the same to them, and my invocation against them will be accepted while theirs against me will be rejected (by Allah). ''
Aisha said, ''The Jews came to the Prophet and said to him, ''As-Samu Alaika (i.e., Death be upon you).'' He replied, The same on you.' '' Aisha said to them, ''Death be upon you, and may Allah curse you and shower His wrath upon you!'' Allah's Apostle I said, ''Be gentle and calm, O Aisha! Be gentle and beware of being harsh and of saying evil things.'' She said, ''Didn't you hear what they said?'' He said, ''Didn't you hear what I replied (to them)? have returned their statement to them, and my invocation against them will be accepted but theirs against me will not be accepted.''
The Prophet said, ''Allah created Adam in his complete shape and form (directly), sixty cubits (about 30 meters) in height. When He created him, He said (to him), ''Go and greet that group of angels sitting there, and listen what they will say in reply to you, for that will be your greeting and the greeting of your offspring.'' Adam (went and) said, As-Salamu alaikum (Peace be upon you).' They replied, AsSalamu-'Alaika wa Rahmatullah (Peace and Allah's Mercy be on you) So they increased Wa Rahmatullah' The Prophet added So whoever will enter Paradise, will be of the shape and form of Adam. Since then the creation of Adam's (offspring) (i.e. stature of human beings is being diminished continuously) to the present time.''
The Prophet said, ''Allah created Adam, making him 60 cubits tall. When He created him, He said to him, ''Go and greet that group of angels, and listen to their reply, for it will be your greeting (salutation) and the greeting (salutations of your offspring.'' So, Adam said (to the angels), As-Salamu Alaikum (i.e. Peace be upon you). The angels said, ''As-salamu Alaika wa Rahmatu-l-lahi'' (i.e. Peace and Allah's Mercy be upon you). Thus the angels added to Adam's salutation the expression, Wa Rahmatu-l-lahi,' Any person who will enter Paradise will resemble Adam (in appearance and figure). People have been decreasing in stature since Adam's creation.
The Prophet prayed (and the subnarrator Ibrahim said, ''I do not know whether he prayed more or less than usual''), and when he had finished the prayers he was asked, ''O Allah's Apostle! Has there been any change in the prayers?'' He said, ''What is it?' The people said, ''You have prayed so much and so much.'' So the Prophet bent his legs, faced the Qibla and performed two prostrations (of Sahu) and finished his prayers with Tasiim (by turning his face to right and left saying: As-Salamu'Alaikum-Warahmat-ullah'). When he turned his face to us he said, ''If there had been anything changed in the prayer, surely I would have informed you but I am a human being like you and liable to forget like you. So if I forget remind me and if anyone of you is doubtful about his prayer, he should follow what he thinks to be correct and complete his prayer accordingly and finish it and do two prostrations (of Sahu).''
