Usama ibn Zayd related that one day the Prophet, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace, was riding on a donkey on a straw saddle covered
by a blanket from Fadak. Usama ibn Zayd was riding behind him. He was on
his way to visit Sa'd ibn 'Ubada. He passed by a meeting which included
'Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul - before the enemy of Allah had become
Muslim. The gathering contained a mixture of Muslims, associaters and idolaters.
He greeted them.
Ibn 'Abbas said, "Return the greeting to whomever it is, Jew,
Christian, or Magian. That is because Allah says, 'When you are greeted
with a greeting, greet with one better than it or return it.' (4:86)"
'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas related that Abu Sufyan ibn Harb sent him
to Heraclius, the Byzantine Emperor, and he called for the letter of the
Messenger of Allah which Dihya had brought to the governor of Busra, who
in turn passed it on to Heraclius. He read it out, saying, 'In the name
of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate, from Muhammad, the slave of
Allah and His Messenger, to Heraclius, ruler of the Byzantines. Peace be
upon the one who follows guidance. I call you to Islam. If you become Muslim,
you will be safe and Allah will double your reward. If you turn away, then
you incur the wrong action of your subjects. "O People of the Book!
Come to a proposition which is the same for us and you (to His
words) Bear witness that we are Muslims."
(3:54)'"
'Abdullah ibn 'Umar said that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace, said, "When one of the Jews greets you and
says, 'Poison be upon you (as-samu 'alaykum),' say, 'And on you.'"
