Reciprocating kindness with greater generosity

Nahj al-Balāgha|Volume 1|Book 3|Chapter 62

Nahj al-Balāgha

Book 3, Chapter 62

Reciprocating kindness with greater generosity
1 Ḥadīth
Ḥadīth 77

٦٢. وَقَالَ (عليه ‏السلام): إِذَا حُيِّيْتَ بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيِّ بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا، وإِذَا أُسْدِيَتْ إِلَيْكَ يَدٌ فَكَافِئْهَا بِمَا يُرْبِي عَلَيْهَا، وَالْفَضْلُ مَعَ ذلِكَ لِلْبَادِئِ.

62. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: If you are met with a greeting, give better greetings in return. If a hand of help is extended to you, do a better favour in return, although the credit would remain with the one who was first.