Ayyoob as-Sikhtiyaanee was tender hearted, and when he would become tearful in front of his companions, he would pinch his nose to give [them] the impression he had a cold, and if he feared he would be overcome by tears, he would get up [and leave the gathering].
I saw ath-Thowree in the Haram after [the] maghrib [prayer]; He prayed, then descended into prostration and did not rise until the call (adhaan) for the ‘ishaa prayer [was made].
I saw ath-Thowree in the Haram (al-Masjid al-Haraam, Makkah) after maghrib; He prayed [the maghrib prayer] and then went into prostration, and did not rise [from the prostration] until the call for the ‘ishaa prayer was made.
I accompanied Ibn ‘Umar (radhi-yAllaahu ‘anhumaa) for 34 months, and [during this time] whenever he was asked a question, he would respond with: I do not know. He then turned to me and said: Do you know what these [people] wanted, they wanted to use our backs as a bridge for themselves to Hell.
And I never saw him openly glorifying Allaah, nor [openly doing] any acts of charity.
It was reported regarding ar-Rabee’ ib Kuthaym that when a family member would enter his room, he would [hasten to] cover his Qur.aan.
‘Ask for him (seek him out) at the masjid’, and don’t say to him: ‘He is not here, so as not to lie’
[It was reported] regarding ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Mahdee that he rose from a gathering and the people [too arose and] followed [behind] him. So [out of humility] he said to them: ‘O people, don’t follow behind me.’
The yearly income of al-Layth ibn Sa’d was 80,000 deenaars, [and despite this immense wealth] never did Allaah obligate upon him to extract even one dirham in zakaah.
Indeed, charity done in secret will prevent the anger of the Lord, the Mighty and Majestic.
