(200) بَابُ الْمُسْتَبَّانِ مَا قَالا فَعَلَى الأوَّلِ
Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him andgrant him peace, said, "When two people revile each other, the responsibilityfor what they say rests on the first to speak as long as the one who wrongeddoes not become excessive."
Reference: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 423
In-book reference: Book 24, Hadith 5
English translation: Book 24, Hadith 423