Imaam Hasan bin 'Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu reports that I asked my (maternal) uncle
Hind bin Abi Haalab, who usually described particulars and conditions of
Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. I was longing to hear something about
it. On my asking, he described the mubaarak features of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam. He said:
'Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam had great qualities and attributes in
him, others also held him in high esteem. His face glittered like the full
moon'. He then described the complete features of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam (as has been mentioned in the first chapter under hadith number seven).
Imaam Hasan Radiyallahu 'Anhu says. 'I did not mention this hadith (due to some
reason) to Husayn (Radiyallahu 'Anhu) for some time. Then I once narrated it to
him whereupon I found that he had heard it before me. He had asked him (our
uncle) already what I had asked. I also found that he had asked our father ('Ali
Radiyallahu 'Anhu) about Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi 'Wasallam entering and
coming out of the house. He did not leave out anything about the ways and
manners of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. Imaam Husayn Radiyallahu 'Anhu
said: 'I asked my father regarding the manner in which Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam entered the house?' He replied: 'When Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam entered the house he distributed his time into three portions; He spent
a portion for Allah. (In devotion, performing salaah etc.); A portion towards
his family (fulfilling their duties. i.e. laughing, speaking, enquiring about
their welfare etc.); and a portion for himself (resting etc.). He distributed
his personal portion in two, one for himself and one for the people, in such a
manner that the near one's among the Sahaabah Radiyallahu 'Anhum came to visit
him. Through these Sahaabah Radiyallahu 'Anhum he conveyed messages to the
people. He did not conceal anything from them. From the portion of the unimah he
adopted this method, that he gave preference to the Ahlul-Fadl (i.e. people of 'ilm
and 'amal). He distributed this time according to their religious fadl. From
among those who came, some had one requirement, some had two requirements, and
some had many requirements. Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam fulfilled all
their requirements. He busied them in things that benefited them and the entire
ummah. When they questioned Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam on religious
matters, he replied to them in a manner that benefited them. He used to say:
'Those that are present, should inform those that are not present regarding
these beneficial and necessary matters'. He also used to say: 'Those people who
for some reason (purdah, distance, shyness or awe) cannot put forward their
requirements, you should inform me about their requirements, because, that
person who informs a king of the need of another, who is unable to put forward
that need, Allah Ta'aala will keep that person stead fast on the day of qiyaamah'.
Only important and beneficial matters were discussed in his gathering. He
happily listened to these matters from the Sahaabah Radiyallahu 'Anhum. Besides
this there was no wasteful or non-beneficial talks in his assemblies. The
Sahaabah Radiyallahu 'Anhum came to the assemblies of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam for their religious needs, they did not depart before tasting something
(by tasting, may be meant the acquiring of religious knowledge. It could mean 'Hissi'
tasting too. Whatever Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam
possessed, he offered it in humbleness. Whenever close friends gather, whatever
is available is presented to them). The Sahaabah Radiyallahu 'Anhum returned
from his assemblies as torch bearers of hidayah and goodness. (They spread.
these teachings amongst others). Imaam Husayn Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: 'I asked
(my father) regarding the coming out of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam
from the house'. He replied: 'Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam controlled
his tongue and only spoke that which was necessary. He did not waste his time in
useless conversations. He made those who came to visit him feel at home he did
not make them feel scared or ill at ease. (i.e. When advising them, he did not
scold them in a manner that they become scared, or tell them such things that
would keep them away from the deen). He respected and honoured the respected
ones of every nation. He also chose a leader for them. He warned the people of
Allah's punishment (or he emphasised that the people be cautious). He also
protected himself from troubling or harming people. Besides being cautious and
commanding others to be cautious, he never lacked in courtesy towards others. He
was concerned for the affairs of his friends, made himself aware about the
relationships between them and rectified their faults. He praised good deeds and
encouraged them. He explained the harmful effects of bad things and removed and
stopped these. He followed the middle path in all matters. (He did not at times
say this and at other times that). He did not neglect the guiding of people, it
is possible that they became unmindful of their religious duties, or exceeded in
a matter resulting in them becoming disheartened. For everything there was a
special arrangement. He did not fall back in the truth, nor did he exceed the
limits in this.
Those who attended his gatherings were the best of people. The best person in
the eyes of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam was the one who
wished everybody well. The one with the highest status in the eyes of Sayyidina
Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam was that person who considered, comforted
and helped the creation the most'. Sayyidina Imaam Husayn Radiyallahu 'Anhu
says: 'I then enquired from him regarding the assemblies of Sayyidina Rasulullah
Sallallahu Wasallam'. He replied: 'He began and ended all his sitting with the
dhikr of Allah. When he went to a place, he sat where he found a place, and also
instructed the people to do so. They should not leap over peoples heads and go
ahead. It is a different matter, that where Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam sat, that place became the focal point of the gathering. Sayyidina
Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam fulfilled the rights of every person
present. That means, whatever right was due in talking and showing happiness,
was fulfilled by him, so much so, that every person present would think that
Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam is honouring me the most. The
person that came to sit by Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam or
came to him for some purpose, Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam
would remain seated till that person began to stand up. Whenever one asked him
for something, he kindly fulfilled that request, and did not refuse it, (if he
did not possess the thing) he would give a soft and humble answer. His
cheerfulness and pleasant manner were for everybody. He was like a father to
them. The whole creation was equal before him as far as rights were concerned.
His gatherings were the gatherings of knowledge, modesty, patience and honesty.
(i.e. These four things were attained there or are a description of his
gatherings). Voices were not raised therein, nor was anyone degraded or
disgraced. If anyone committed a fault, it was not made known publicly. All were
regarded as equals amongst themselves. (A person was not regarded according to
his lineage or genealogy). The virtues of one over the other was according to
the taqwa (piety) possessed. The small ones were loved. The needy were given
preference. Strangers and travellers were cared for"
حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ وَكِيعٍ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا جُمَيْعُ بْنُ عُمَرَ بْنِ
عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْعِجْلِيُّ، قَالَ: أَنْبَأَنَا رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي تَمِيمٍ
مِنْ وَلَدِ أَبِي هَالَةَ زَوْجِ خَدِيجَةَ، يُكْنَى أَبَا عَبْدِ اللهِ، عَنِ
ابْنٍ لأَبِي هَالَةَ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ: سَأَلْتُ خَالِي
هِنْدَ بْنَ أَبِي هَالَةَ، وَكَانَ وَصَّافًا عَنْ حِلْيَةِ رَسُولِ اللهِ صلى
الله عليه وسلم، وَأَنَا أَشْتَهِي أَنْ يَصِفَ لِي مِنْهَا شَيْئًا، فَقَالَ:
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم،: -.
قَالَ: فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ مَخْرَجِهِ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ فِيهِ؟ قَالَ: كَانَ
رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَخْرِنُ لِسَانُهُ إِلا فِيمَا يَعْنِيهِ،
وَيُؤَلِّفُهُمْ وَلا يُنَفِّرُهُمْ، وَيُكْرِمُ كَرَيمَ كُلِّ قَوْمٍ وَيُوَلِّيهِ
عَلَيْهِمْ، وَيُحَذِّرُ النَّاسَ وَيَحْتَرِسُ مِنْهُمْ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَطْوِيَ
عَنْ أَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ بِشْرَهُ وَخُلُقَهُ، وَيَتَفَقَّدُ أَصْحَابَهُ، وَيَسْأَلُ
النَّاسَ عَمَّا فِي النَّاسِ، وَيُحَسِّنُ الْحَسَنَ وَيُقَوِّيهِ، وَيُقَبِّحُ
الْقَبِيحَ وَيُوَهِّيهِ، مُعْتَدِلُ الأَمْرِ غَيْرُ مُخْتَلِفٍ، لا يَغْفُلُ
مَخَافَةَ أَنْ يَغْفُلُوا أَوْ يَمِيلُوا، لِكُلِّ حَالٍ عِنْدَهُ عَتَادٌ، لا
يُقَصِّرُ عَنِ الْحَقِّ وَلا يُجَاوِزُهُ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُ مِنَ النَّاسِ
خِيَارُهُمْ، أَفْضَلُهُمْ عِنْدَهُ أَعَمُّهُمْ نَصِيحَةً، وَأَعْظَمُهُمْ عِنْدَهُ
مَنْزِلَةً أَحْسَنُهُمْ مُوَاسَاةً وَمُؤَازَرَةً قَالَ: فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ
مَجْلِسِهِ، فَقَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لا يَقُومُ وَلا
يَجَلِسُ، إِلا عَلَى ذِكْرٍ، وَإِذَا انْتَهَى إِلَى قَوْمٍ، جَلَسَ حَيْثُ
يَنْتَهِي بِهِ الْمَجْلِسُ، وَيَأْمُرُ بِذَلِكَ، يُعْطِي كُلَّ جُلَسَائِهِ
بِنَصِيبِهِ، لا يَحْسَبُ جَلِيسُهُ أَنَّ أَحَدًا أَكْرَمُ عَلَيْهِ مِنْهُ، مَنْ
جَالَسَهُ أَوْ فَاوَضَهُ فِي حَاجَةٍ، صَابَرَهُ حَتَّى يَكُونَ هُوَ الْمُنْصَرِفُ
عَنْهُ، وَمَنْ سَأَلَهُ حَاجَةً لَمْ يَرُدَّهُ إِلا بِهَا، أَوْ بِمَيْسُورٍ مِنَ
الْقَوْلِ، قَدْ وَسِعَ النَّاسَ بَسْطُهُ وَخُلُقُهُ، فَصَارَ لَهُمْ أَبًا
وَصَارُوا عِنْدَهُ فِي الْحَقِّ سَوَاءً، مَجْلِسُهُ مَجْلِسُ عِلْمٍ وَحِلْمٍ
وَحَيَاءٍ وَأَمَانَةٍ وَصَبْرٍ، لا تُرْفَعُ فِيهِ الأَصْوَاتُ، وَلا تُؤْبَنُ
فِيهِ الْحُرَمُ، وَلا تُثَنَّى فَلَتَاتُهُ، مُتَعَادِلِينَ، بَلْ كَانُوا
يَتَفَاضَلُونَ فِيهِ بِالتَّقْوَى، مُتَوَاضِعِينَ يُوقِّرُونَ فِيهِ الْكَبِيرَ،
وَيَرْحَمُونَ فِيهِ الصَّغِيرَ، وَيُؤْثِرُونَ ذَا الْحَاجَةِ، وَيَحْفَظُونَ
الْغَرِيبَ.