If you see a man arguing, then [know that] he loves leadership.
Category: Manners
In pursuit of praise and status
Nothing closes the door to Allaah like the pursuit of praise and status.
The desire for leadership
The one from whom you smelt the odour [for the desire] of leadership will not be successful.
The love of fame
He who loves fame, has not feared Allaah.
The most linguistically eloquent of the people
If a man was to bequeath a third of his estate to the most [linguistically] eloquent of the people, it would be incumbent [upon him] to give it to Abu Bakr al-Ash’aree.
Who taught you good manners?
[I learnt them] myself. If I see anyone [who is] good, [then] I draw near to him, and if I see anyone [who is] ill-mannered, [then] I keep away from him.
He was capable of dictating it all from memory
‘If the math.hab of ash-Shaafi’ee disappeared, he was capable of dictating it [all] from memory.’
Have you seen a jurist with your own eyes?
I asked al-Hasan al-Basree about something, and said [to him]: The jurists are saying such-and-such.
Eating too much
Indeed, a man will certainly become full from speech (talking too much), just as he will become full from food (eating too much).
Before putting pen to paper
I did not put [pen to paper and record] any hadeeth in my book “Saheeh [al-Bukhaaree]” except that I washed before [doing so], and then prayed two rak’ahs.