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

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.

More:

1. A Visitor looking around the House
2. Going out to Spread Greetings
3. Did the Companions used to laugh?
4. The scholar, the ruler, and your brother
5. Some of the Best and Worst People in Society

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

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. 1^st 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.

More:

1. Studying Manners
2. The Trick of the Eyes
3. Who to Love and Trust, Hate and Suspect [signs of sincerity]
4. Umar on obeying the Muslim Ruler
5. A Penny worth Thirty-Three

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