[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.
Category: Words of Wisdom
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 رضي الله عنه 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.
What bit me?
al-Imaam al-Bukhaaree was praying one night and a wasp bit him seventeen times. So when he finished praying, he said: Have a look and see what hurt (bit) me.
Little birds would descend and settle upon his back
When Ibraaheem at-Teemee would prostrate, little birds would [descend and] settle upon his back, as if he was a wooden fence.
Talking about the secrets of your brother
Indeed [it is considered] from deceit to talk about the secret[s] of your brother.