حياة السلف بين القول والعمل

Warning against arguing with people of innovation and deviant inclinations: Mahdi ibn Maymun al-Azdi said: I heard Muhammad ibn Sirin, may Allah have mercy on him, when a man disputed with him about something. Muhammad said: I know what you want, and I know disputation better than you, but I will not dispute with you. [al-Shari'ah /70].

Respect for knowledge and its people: On the authority of Abu Wael, Ibn Masoud, may God be pleased with him, saw a man who had let his garment hang low, so he said: “Raise your garment.” The man said: “And you, Ibn Masoud, raise your garment.” He said: “My legs are thin, and I lead the people in prayer.” This reached Umar, may God be pleased with him, so he began to strike the man, saying: “Do you contradict Ibn Masoud?” [Al-Siyar (its abridgment) 1/196].

Respect for knowledge and its people: Abu al-Darda’, may God be pleased with him, said: Seek knowledge, and if you are unable to do so, then love its people, and if you do not love them, then do not hate them. [Sifat al-Safwa 1/298].

Respect for knowledge and its people: Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, held the stirrup for Zayd ibn Thabit, who said: Move aside, cousin of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Ibn Abbas replied: This is how we treat our scholars and elders. [Sifat al-Safwah 1/343].

Respect for knowledge and its people: Al-Zuhri said: Abu Salama, may God have mercy on him, often disagreed with Ibn Abbas, may God be pleased with them both, and as a result he was deprived of much knowledge from him. [Al-Siyar (its abridgment) 2/499].