Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6256 ⓘ
Narrated `Aisha: A group of Jews came to Allah's Messenger 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 Messenger! Haven't you heard what they have said?" Allah's Messenger said, "I have (already) said (to them), 'Alaikum (upon you).' "
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ دَخَلَ رَهْطٌ مِنَ الْيَهُودِ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالُوا السَّامُ عَلَيْكَ. فَفَهِمْتُهَا فَقُلْتُ عَلَيْكُمُ السَّامُ وَاللَّعْنَةُ. فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَهْلاً يَا عَائِشَةُ، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ فِي الأَمْرِ كُلِّهِ ". فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَوَلَمْ تَسْمَعْ مَا قَالُوا قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " فَقَدْ قُلْتُ وَعَلَيْكُمْ ".
also referenced under: Book 79, Hadith 30 (In-Book) & Volume 8, Book 74, Hadith 273 (USC-MSA)