Do not look at the [text of the] hadeeth, rather look at the isnaad; If it is authentic [then look at the text of the hadeeth], otherwise do not. So do not be lured by [the text of] a hadeeth if it’s isnaad is not authentic.
Category: Words of Wisdom
Diligently taking notes
Ismaa’eel [ibn Zayd al-Jarjaanee] would write 90 pages [of knowledge] every night in small/fine writing.
The importance of taking notes
We used to do the rounds visiting the ‘Ulamaa with az-Zuhree and with him he had tablets and papers which he used to write upon all he heard [from the ‘Ulamaa].
Out of respect for the knowledge of hadeeth
[al-Imaam] Maalik would not narrate hadeeth unless he was in a state of purity (wudhoo) out of great respect for the [knowledge of] hadeeth.
They would divide the night into three
al-Hasan ibn Saalih, his brother and their mother used to divide the night into three parts, each would stand their third in prayer. So when their mother died, they divided the night in two parts, and when [his brother] ‘Alee died, Hasan stood the entire night in prayer.
As a result of elongating his prayer
‘Anas (radhi-yallaahu ‘anhu) used to pray until his feet swelled with blood, as a result of elongating his prayer, standing [in prayer] at night.
So he was not overcome by sleep
Safwaan ibn Saleem used to stand in prayer on the roof on a cold night so that he is not overcome by sleep.
Nor have I seen the back of a man
For fifty years, I never [once] missed the initial takbeer [upon beginning the congregational prayer], and nor have I seen the back of a man in the [congregational] prayer [since].
Nothing more desirable has remained
In this world, nothing more desirable has remained than prayer in congregation, and [subsequently] meeting the brothers.
I have not seen any better prayer
I have not seen any better prayer than that of Muhammad ibn Nasr. A house fly settled upon his ear, and he did not [even] try to brush it away. And we were amazed at the gracefulness of his prayer, and his concentration and state; He would place his chin upon his chest and then stand upright as if he was an erect piece of wood.