Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: A man came and said, "O Messenger of Allah! I have some relatives with whom I maintain good relations, but they treat me badly. They behave badly towards me, yet I behave well towards them. They act ignorantly towards me, but I deal with them with forbearance." The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If the situation is as you describe, then you are throwing ashes upon them. As long as you continue doing so, Allah Almighty's help will remain with you."
Imam Ibn Hibban (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The word "al-mil" used in the text of the narration refers to such ashes in which there are pieces of embers (i.e., burning coals).