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Studying Manners
It is reported that Abû Bakr Al-Matû’î said:
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.
The Recommendation for Men to Smell Pleasant [wearing perfume]
It is reported from Abî Qilâbah that when Ibn ‘Abbâs – Allâh be pleased with him – went out to the masjid, the neighbors knew that he had passed due the pleasant scent [of perfume] that came from him.
It is reported that ‘Abdullâh [Ibn Mas'ûd] used to use perfume that had musk in it.
It is reported that ‘Uthmân b. ‘Ubaydillâh – the freedman of Sa’d b. Abî Waqqâs – said:
I used to see Ibn ‘Umar, Abû Hurayrah, Abû Qatâdah and Abû Usayd Al-Sâ’idî – Allâh be pleased with them – passing by us when we were still in school, and we could smell the scent of amber from them.
It is reported that ‘Abdullâh [Ibn Mas'ûd] could be recognized by the smell of his perfume as he approached.
It is reported from Nufay’ the freedman of ‘Abdullâh [Ibn Mas'ûd] that he said:
‘Abdullâh was one of the most pleasant scented people and wore the cleanest whitest thowb (garment).
It is reported that ‘Abdullâh b. Ja’far – Allâh have mercy on him – used to crush musk and apply it in his hair.
It is reported that Umm Razîn said:
I used to gift perfume to Ibn ‘Abbâs – Allâh be pleased with him. He said: “There is nothing the Quraysh like more.” She added, “And he would give us Al-Wars (a plant whose leaves are used to dye fabric).”
Ibn Abî Shaybah, Kitâb Al-Adab, articles 92 – 99.
From the Manners of a Wife with her Husband
It is reported that the wife of Imâm Sa’îd b. Al-Musayyib – Allâh have mercy on him – said:
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.
Lowering the Gaze
It is reported that Salmân Al-Fârsî – Allâh be pleased with him – said:
I would rather die and be resurrected, die and be resurrected, and again die and be resurrected than to see the private part of a Muslim’s body or for a Muslim to see mine.
Imâm Ahmad, Al-Zuhd p192. 1st ed. 1983. Dâr Al-Kutub Al-’Ilmîyah. Beirut, Lebanon.
It is reported that ‘Abdullâh b, ‘Umar – Allâh have mercy on him – said:
Verily, part of disregarding the trust upon you is to look inside [other people's] apartments and houses.
Ibn Abî Al-Dunyâ, Kitâb Al-Wara’ article 71.
It is reported that Anas b. Mâlik – Allâh be pleased with him – said:
If a woman passes in front of you, lower your eyes until she has passed by.
Ibid. article 72.
It is reported that Al-’Alâ b. Ziyâd – Allâh have mercy on him – said:
Let not your sight follow the nice looking back of a woman [as she passed], for indeed the look causes the desire in the heart.
Ibid. article 77.
It is reported on the authority of Al-Wakî’ b. Al-Jarrâh:
We went out one Eid with Sufyân Al-Thawrî and he said, “The first thing we will do on this day of ours is to lower our gaze.”
Ibid. article 66.
It is reported that Hassân b. Abî Sinân – Allâh have mercy on him – went out one Eid and when he returned home his wife said, “How many beautiful women have you looked at today?” After she kept asking him, he said, “Woe to you! I have looked at nothing but my toe from when I went out to when I returned to you.”
Ibid. article 68.