I heard my father extol praise upon Ahmad ibn Abil-Hawaaree, and magnify his mention.
Category: Manners
He was the most humblest of all the people
He would teach the people and have them read the Qur.aan to him. And when they would finish, he would [turn to] occupy himself in prayer.
Good character and minimal speech
Abul-Qaasim was of sound ‘aqeedah, good character, and minimal speech; [in fact] there was no-one of his time comparable to him.
Practice patience
There is no aid other than [from] Allaah, and no guide other than the Messenger of Allaah, and no provision other than taqwa, and no act [to be undertaken] other than [to remain] patient upon it.
Distinguished character
Ahmad ibn Hanbal was extremely shy and modest, and of distinguished character, and liked [being] overly generous.
Pious companions
ar-Rabee’ [ibn Khuthaym] was the most pious of the companions of ‘Abdullaah.
How many times have you lied?
I only [ever] lied once. ‘Umar asked me about a garment, [and] how much I got it for. So I [lied and] dropped its price by two thirds.
No illness is more dangerous than telling lies
There are no provisions better than taqwa, and nothing is better than silence, and no enemy is more harmful than ignorance, and no illness is more dangerous than telling lies.
Out of respect for him
When Khaalid ibn Ma’daan would sit, none amongst [those who had gathered] was able to mention [anything of] the dunyaa in his presence, out of respect for him.
5,000 or more in attendance, learning
And in the gatherings of Ahmad [ibn Hanbal], there would be about 5,000 or more, with about 500 [of them] writing, while the rest would be learning good manners [from him].