I sat in the circle of Abû ‘Abdillâh Ahmad b. Hanbal for twelve years while he read the Musnad to his children, and I never wrote a single hadîth, I only looked at his behavior, character and etiquette.

Ibn Al-Jawzî, Manâqib Ahmad, article 210.

It is reported that Al-Hasan b. Ismâ’îl said, ‘I heard my father say:

There would gather in the circle of Ahmad five thousand people or more; less than five hundred would write, the rest would learn from him good manners and behavior.’

Ibid.

It is reported that Sufyân Al-Thawrî said:

A man who wanted to write hadîth would [learn] manners and worship for twenty years before starting.

Abû Nu’aym, Hilyatu Al-Awliyâ`, 6:361.

More:

1. Learn Arabic, Speak Arabic
2. I’m the Man [the youngster who puts himself forward]
3. Food for Thought, not for Stomachs
4. Umar on interacting with others [trust, consultation and friendship]
5. From the Manners of a Wife with her Husband

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi

We only ever used to speak to our husbands like you address your commanders and leaders: [we would supplicate for them when talking to them] “May Allâh keep you right!”, “May Allâh keep you well!”

Abû Nu’aym, Hilyatu Al-Awliyâ` 5:198.

After the death of his wife Umm Sâlih, Imâm Ahmad – Allâh have mercy on them, used to praise her. He once said:

In the thirty years she was with me, we never had a single word of disagreement.

Al-Khatîb Al-Baghdâdî, Târîkh Baghdâd 16:626.

More:

1. Secret Tears
2. Lowering the Gaze
3. Men on Menses
4. Some of the Best and Worst People in Society
5. Beautiful Cursed Women

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi

Abû Bakr Al-Daynûrî, Al-Mujâlasah wa Jawâhir Al-’Ilm 2:181.

More:

1. How much should I..?
2. Who can give a Fatwa?
3. Patience, Asceticism, Prudence and Humbleness
4. Wasted knowledge and rhyming prayers
5. The Place of the Heart and the Tongue

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi

The believer speaks little and does alot, whereas the hypocrite (munâfiq) speaks a lot and does little. When the believer speaks, it is with wisdom, when he is silent, it is in deep thought, when he sees, he takes lessons, and when he acts, it is a cure. If this is the way you are, then you are in the constant worship [of your Lord.]

Abû Nu’aym, Hilyatu Al-Awliyâ` 8:98.

More:

1. Righteous Fear vs. Sinful Delusion
2. Something a Believer can’t do
3. The Three Men and the Valley [example of the munafiq]
4. Secret Devotion
5. The Complete Man

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi

If you fear becoming deluded and impressed by your deeds then remember whose pleasure you are seeking, and the joy (Paradise) in which you want to be, and what punishment you fear. Whoever thinks about these things will diminish his deeds.

Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` 10:42.

More:

1. Abû Bakr to ‘Umar on his Deathbed
2. No poverty after Paradise and no wealth in the Fire
3. Righteous Women and the Maidens of Jannah
4. The Absurdity of Envy
5. Righteous Fear vs. Sinful Delusion

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi