Imaam Hasan Radiyallahu 'Anhu says, (my younger brother) Husayn said:
"I asked my father (Sayyidina 'Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu) about the conduct of
Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam in his assemblies' He replied.. 'Rasulullah
Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam was always happy and easy mannered. There was always
a smile and a sign of happiness on his blessed face. He was soft-natured and
when the people needed his approval, he easily gave consent. He did not speak in
a harsh tone nor was he stone-hearted. He did not scream while speaking, nor was
he rude or spoke indecently. He did not seek other's faults. He never
over-praised anything nor exceeded in joking, nor was he a miser. He kept away
from undesirable language and did not make as if he did not hear anything. If he
did not agree with the next person's wish he did not make that person feel
disheartened, nor did he promise anything to that person. He completely kept
himself away from three things: from arguments, pride and senseless utterances.
He prohibited people from three things. He did not disgrace or insult anyone,
nor look for the faults of others, he only spoke that from which thawaab and
reward was attained. When he spoke, those present bowed their heads in such a
manner, as if birds were sitting on their heads. (They did not shift about, as
birds will fly away on the slightest move). When he completed his talks, the
others would begin speaking. (No one would speak while Sayyidina Rasulullah
Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam spoke. Whatever one wanted to say, it would be said
after he had completed speaking). They did not argue before him regarding
anything. Whenever one spoke to him the other would keep quiet and listen till
he would finish. The speech of every person was as if the first person was
speaking. (They gave attention to what every person said. It was not as is
generally found that in the beginning people pay full attention, and if the talk
is lengthened they became bored, and begin to pay less attention). When all
laughed for something, he would laugh too. The things that surprised the people,
he would also show his surprise regarding that. (He would not sit quietly and
keep himself aloof from everyone, but made himself part of the gathering). He
exercised patience at the harshness and indecent questions of a traveller.
(Villagers usually ask irrelevant questions. They do not show courtesy and ask
all types of questions. Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam did not
reprimand them but exercised patience). The Sahaabah would bring travellers to
his assemblies (so that they themselves could benefit from the various types of
questions asked by these people, and also hear some questions regarding which
they themselves, due to etiquette, would not ask). Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi
Wasallam' would say: 'When you see a person in need, then always 'help that
person'. (If someone praised him, he would detest it). If someone, by way of
thanks praised him, he would remain silent, (because it is necessary that one
'thank a person for a good favour or good deed. It is like one fulfilling one's
duty. Some of the 'ulama have translated this as: 'If one did not exceed in
praising him, he would keep silent'. That means if he exceeded he would prohibit
him). He did not interrupt someone talking and did not begin speaking when
someone else was busy speaking. If one exceeded the limits he would stop him or
would get up and leave (so that that person would stop)"
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، وَيُكْنَى أَبَا عَبْدِ اللهِ، عَنِ
ابْنٍ لأَبِي هَالَةَ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ: قَالَ الْحُسَيْنُ:
سَأَلْتُ أَبي عَنْ سِيرَةِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، فِي جُلَسَائِهِ،
فَقَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، دَائِمَ الْبِشْرِ، سَهْلَ
الْخُلُقِ، لَيِّنَ الْجَانِبِ، لَيْسَ بِفَظٍّ وَلا غَلِيظٍ، وَلا صَخَّابٍ وَلا
فَحَّاشٍ، وَلا عَيَّابٍ وَلا مُشَاحٍ، يَتَغَافَلُ عَمَّا لا يَشْتَهِي، وَلا
يُؤْيِسُ مِنْهُ رَاجِيهِ وَلا يُخَيَّبُ فِيهِ، قَدْ تَرَكَ نَفْسَهُ مِنْ ثَلاثٍ:
الْمِرَاءِ، وَالإِكْثَارِ، وَمَا لا يَعْنِيهِ، وَتَرَكَ النَّاسَ مِنْ ثَلاثٍ:
كَانَ لا يَذُمُّ أَحَدًا، وَلا يَعِيبُهُ، وَلا يَطْلُبُ عَوْرتَهُ، وَلا
يَتَكَلَّمُ إِلا فِيمَا رَجَا ثَوَابَهُ، وَإِذَا تَكَلَّمَ أَطْرَقَ جُلَسَاؤُهُ،
كَأَنَّمَا عَلَى رُؤُوسِهِمُ الطَّيْرُ، فَإِذَا سَكَتَ تَكَلَّمُوا لا
يَتَنَازَعُونَ عِنْدَهُ الْحَدِيثَ، وَمَنْ تَكَلَّمَ عِنْدَهُ أَنْصَتُوا لَهُ
حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ، حَدِيثُهُمْ عِنْدَهُ حَدِيثُ أَوَّلِهِمْ، يَضْحَكُ مِمَّا
يَضْحَكُونَ مِنْهُ، وَيَتَعَجَّبُ مِمَّا يَتَعَجَّبُونَ مِنْهُ، وَيَصْبِرُ
لِلْغَرِيبِ عَلَى الْجَفْوَةِ فِي مَنْطِقِهِ وَمَسْأَلَتِهِ، حَتَّى إِنْ كَانَ
أَصْحَابُهُ، وَيَقُولُ: إِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ طَالِبَ حَاجَةٍ يِطْلُبُهَا
فَأَرْفِدُوهُ، وَلا يَقْبَلُ الثَّنَاءَ إِلا مِنْ مُكَافِئٍ وَلا يَقْطَعُ عَلَى
أَحَدٍ حَدِيثَهُ حَتَّى يَجُوزَ فَيَقْطَعُهُ بِنَهْيٍ أَوْ قِيَامٍ.