I accompanied [‘Abdullaah] Ibn ‘Own for 24 years, and throughout that time I am not aware that the angels [could have] recorded a single sin against him.
Category: Manners
Control over his tongue
[From] amongst them, [‘Abdullaah] Ibn ‘Own was the one who had the most control over his tongue.
How I yearn to be left alone
I visited Muhammad ibn an-Nadhr, and said: ‘It is as if you dislike socialising with the people.’ And he replied
In pursuit of humility
He (Ahmad ibn Yahya ash-Shaybaanee) was self-deprecating, and would not deem himself [to be much].
Humbling and belittling oneself
Yoosuf ibn al-Husayn was an imaam of his time. There was no-one from the scholars like him in terms of humbling and belittling himself.
My soul has become proud
‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه carried a water skin around his neck; he was asked about it, and he replied: ‘My soul has become proud, and I wanted to humble it.’
The mere sight of him would awaken sadness in my heart
Whenever I looked at al-Fudhayl [ibn ’Iyaadh], [the mere sight of him] would awaken sadness [in my heart], [causing me to] despise myself, and then weep.
Too much talking and too much eating
Two characteristics harden the heart: too much talking and too much eating.
My father would extol praise upon him
I heard my father extol praise upon Ahmad ibn Abil-Hawaaree, and magnify his mention.
He was the most humblest of all the people
He would remain in the main masjid of the city from [the time of] Fajr until [the time of] ‘Ishaa, not leaving other than for a need. He would teach the people and have them read the Qur.aan to him.