Shama'il al-Muhammadiya 319

Imaam Hasan bin 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that I asked my (maternal) uncle Hind bin Abi Haalab, who usually described particulars and conditions of Messenger of Allah ﷺ. I was longing to hear something about it. On my asking, he described the mubaarak features of Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He said:
'Messenger of Allah ﷺ 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 Messenger of Allah ﷺ (as has been mentioned in the first chapter under hadith number seven). Imaam Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) says. 'I did not mention this hadith (due to some reason) to Husayn ((may Allah be pleased with him)) 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 (may Allah be pleased with him)) about Messenger of Allah Sallallahu 'Alayhi 'Wasallam entering and coming out of the house. He did not leave out anything about the ways and manners of Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Imaam Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 'I asked my father regarding the manner in which Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the house?' He replied: 'When Messenger of Allah ﷺ 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 (may Allah be pleased with him)m came to visit him. Through these Sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with him)m 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. Messenger of Allah ﷺ fulfilled all their requirements. He busied them in things that benefited them and the entire ummah. When they questioned Messenger of Allah ﷺ 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 (may Allah be pleased with him)m. Besides this there was no wasteful or non-beneficial talks in his assemblies. The Sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with him)m came to the assemblies of Messenger of Allah ﷺ 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 Messenger of Allah ﷺ possessed, he offered it in humbleness. Whenever close friends gather, whatever is available is presented to them). The Sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with him)m returned from his assemblies as torch bearers of hidayah and goodness. (They spread. these teachings amongst others). Imaam Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) says: 'I asked (my father) regarding the coming out of Messenger of Allah ﷺ from the house'. He replied: 'Messenger of Allah ﷺ 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 Messenger of Allah ﷺ was the one who wished everybody well. The one with the highest status in the eyes of Messenger of Allah ﷺ was that person who considered, comforted and helped the creation the most'. Sayyidina Imaam Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) says: 'I then enquired from him regarding the assemblies of Messenger of Allah 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 Messenger of Allah ﷺ sat, that place became the focal point of the gathering. Messenger of Allah ﷺ 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 Messenger of Allah ﷺ is honouring me the most. The person that came to sit by Messenger of Allah ﷺ or came to him for some purpose, Messenger of Allah ﷺ 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 ﷺ، وَأَنَا أَشْتَهِي أَنْ يَصِفَ لِي مِنْهَا شَيْئًا، فَقَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ،: -. قَالَ: فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ مَخْرَجِهِ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ فِيهِ؟ قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ 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 ﷺ 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.