Imam al-Husayn’s (a) bondswoman gifted him a bunch of basil and in return, Imam (a) released her. Imam (a) was asked,
“did you release her only for a bunch of basil?”
Imam (a) answered, “God has taught us in the Qur’an that, ‘When you are greeted with a salute, greet with a better one than it, or return it’ (4:86) and better than that bunch of basil was releasing her.”
وَإِذَا حُيِّيتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّوا بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَسِيبًا
When you are greeted with a salute, greet with a better one than it, or return it; indeed Allah takes account of all things.
Sources:
Nathr al-durr, vol. 1, p. 335.
Al-Tadhkira al-hamduniyya, vol. 2, p. 186.
Tanzil.ir/ Quran An-Nisa ,verse 86
