Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Basrah Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him), he says that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "When you pass by the Jews, do not greet them with Salam, and if they greet you with Salam, then in reply only say «وعليكم» 'And upon you as well.'"

Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says: The Jews used to come to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and say «اَلسَّامُ عَلَيكُم» (may destruction and death be upon you) instead of «السلام عليكم». The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would reply: «وعليكم» "And upon you as well." Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) understood their (the Jews') words and spoke harshly to them (and in one narration, she said: Rather, may destruction and condemnation be upon you). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Aisha, leave it! Do not use unpleasant words, for indeed Allah dislikes foul and abusive language." She said: O Messenger of Allah! But they were saying this to you? The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Did I not respond to them (in a good manner)?" Then Allah the Exalted revealed this verse: «وَإِذَا جَاءُوكَ حَيَّوْكَ بِمَا لَمْ يُحَيِّكَ بِهِ اللَّهُ» "And when they come to you, they greet you with words with which Allah does not greet you," to the end of the verse (Surah Al-Mujadila: 8).

Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that a Jew came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and (instead of saying "As-Salamu Alaikum") said: O Muhammad! «اَلسَّامُ عَلَيكُم» (i.e., death and destruction be upon you). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: “«وَ عَلَيكَ» And upon you as well.” Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says: I wanted to say something, but I knew that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would dislike it, so I remained silent. Another Jew came and said: «اَلسَّامُ عَلَيكُم» (death and destruction be upon you). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “«وعليك» (and upon you as well).” This time too, I wanted to say something, but due to the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) dislike, I remained silent. Then a third Jew came and said: «اَلسَّامُ عَلَيكُم». I could not remain patient and I spoke out: O apes and swine! Destruction be upon you, Allah’s wrath and His curse be upon you. Do you want to adopt the manner in which Allah did not send peace upon the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)? The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Allah does not like foul language and obscenity. They said «اَلسَّامُ عَلَيكُم» and we also (avoiding foul language, simply by saying «وعليك») replied. In fact, the Jews are a jealous people and they do not envy us for any trait as much as they envy us for Salam and Ameen.”