Talq Ibn Habeeb (rahimahullaah) used to start his salaah with Soorah Al-Baqarah and would not go into ruku until he reached Soorah Al-Ankaboot.
[Source: Seeratus Salaf As-Saaleh by: Imaam Ismaaeel Bin Muhammad Bin Fadl Al-Asbahaanee (535AH: Chapter: A mention of those who followed the companions in righteousness
Al-Hasan Al-Basri (rahimahullaah) said: The soul of the son of Aadam does not exit this world, except with a loss in three (things): [1] It did not satisfy itself with what it gathered (of the worldly things); [2] It did not achieve what it hoped for; [3] It did not increase in perfecting what is sent forth (for it of good deeds in the hereafter).
Source: Seeratus Salaf As-Saaleh by: Imaam Ismaaeel Bin Muhammad Bin Fadl Al-Asbahaanee (535AH: Chapter: A mention of those who followed the companions in righteousness]
He was a son of Alqama Ibn Qais’s brother. He narrated (knowledge) from AbuBakr and Umar (radiyallaahu-anhumaa). He used to observe fasting (a lot). He performed between forty hajjs and Umras. He was a Faqeeh (a scholar of piety and precise understanding) and a Zaahid (i.e. one who abstained from the permissible but unnecessary worldly pleasures). Ibraaheem An-Nakha’ee (rahimahullaah) said: Aswad used to (finish) recitation of the Qur’aan in two nights during the month of Ramadaan and in six days in other than Ramadaan. And Alqamah used to (finish) its recitation) in five days.
Source: Seeratus Salaf As-Saaleh by: Imaam Ismaaeel Bin Muhammad Bin Fadl Al-Asbahaanee (535AH: Chapter: A mention of those who followed the companions in righteousness]
He was from the people of Koofa. He narrated (knowledge) from Anas (radiyallaahu-anhu). His kunya was Abu Usaama. He was a devout worshipper and one who was very patient in bearing constant hunger.
[Source: Seeratus Salaf As-Saaleh by: Imaam Ismaaeel Bin Muhammad Bin Fadl Al-Asbahaanee (535AH): Chapter: A mention of those who followed the companions in righteousness]
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
An affair that is not hidden is the firm and resolute manner in which the Salaf us-Salih clung to the Qur’an and Sunnah, the narrations with that regard are many and great. Therafter, the great scholars of the Sunnah have similarly clung firmly to this blessed methodology just as the prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم stated, “عضوا عليها بالنواجذ” cling onto it with the molar teeth. It is this firm stance in defence and implementation of this methodology that distinguishes ahlus-Sunnah as treading upon the centre route, just as Shaikh ul-Islam ibn Taymiyyah stated, “…just as Islam is in the centre between the other religions, then ahlus-Sunnah are in the centre between the [deviations] of the other sects….”. Hence there is no allowable place for opinions or logic in the face of the evidence when it is presented, as ‘Ali ibn abi Talib رضي الله عنه stated, “if this religion was based upon opinions and logic then wiping the bottom of the leather sock [or socks] would be given precedence…however the prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم commanded that the top be wiped”.
In a recent story we saw the effort, persistence and striving of our noble Shaikh even in the time nearing his departure from this world, in this incident the firm and resolute stance of the Shaikh in clinging to the Sunnah will also be evident. On a particular occasion we travelled to Makkah and similarly visited the Shaikh as was the habit, we departed from the Masjid after the ‘Isha prayer and accompanied the Shaikh toward his car. The Shaikh was in his wheel chair and we walked alongside him. A question was posed to the Shaikh regarding a particular practice on the day of ‘Eid and whether it is from the sunnah to do so or not? The Shaikh replied it is not evidenced from the companions they would do it, at this point I stated that perhaps it could be allowable in any case as a tradition or custom of the people?
So the Shaikh – whilst in his wheelchair and I standing besides him – grasped me with a firm handhold with strength from the region of my collar and stated, “And do we follow the traditions and customs of the people or the authentic Sunnah?”
The affair was clearly understood by all present! However, the firm stance of the Shaikh in implementing the Sunnah was a lesson to us all, as well as the kindness and love of the Shaikh to benefit the people, for indeed the act of grasping the collar was upon kindness in clarifying and making blatant the status of the Sunnah to this group of youth.
May Allah have mercy upon the noble Shaikh and maintain us upon steadfastness in learning and practicing the truth.
Abdullaah Bin Ahmad Bin Hanbal (rahimahullaah) said: I heard my father saying: ”Yahyah Al-Qattaan related to me (about such and such). My eyes have never seen (someone) similar to him.” [Sifatus Safwa: 3/365]
Imaam Dhahabi (rahimahullaah) said: ”He (Yazeed) was a figurehead in knowledge, trustworthiness and a great proof.” [Siyar A’laam Nubulaa: 9/358]
Ibn Abee Haatim (rahimahullaah) said: I asked my father about Yazeed Bin Haaroon, so he said: ”Reliable, an Imaam and truthful in hadeeth. The likes of him should not be asked about.” [Al-Jarh Wat-tadeel: 9/295]
Imaam Dhahabee (rahimahullaah) said: ”Indeed, Yazeed was a figurehead in the Sunnah, having enmity towards the Jahmiyyah and rejected their false interpretations regarding Allaah’s Istiwaa.’’ [Siyar A’laam Nubulaa: 9/362]
Rabee (rahimahullaah) said: I heard Shaafiee (rahimahullaah) saying: Had it not been for Sufyaan and Maalik (Bin Anas), the knowledge of the hijaaz would have gone away. [Tahdheeb Al-Kamaal: 11/189]
Ibn Wahb (rahimahullaah) said: I do not know anyone more knowledgeable about tafseer than Sufyaan Ibn Uyaynah. (Imaam) Ahmad (rahimahullaah) said: I do not know anyone more knowledgeable about the Sunan than him. [Taareekh Al-Islaam: 13/193]
Ahmad Bin Abil Hawaaree (rahimahullaah) said: I said to Sufyaan, ‘’what is Zuhd in the worldly life? He said: you are thankful when favoured and patient when put to trial. That is zuhd. [Siyar A’laam Nubulaa:8/468]
Abee Mamar (rahimahullaah) said: Sufyaan Bin Uyaynah (rahimahullaah) said to us: The scholar is not the one who knows good and bad; rather the scholar is the one who knows good and follows it, and he knows evil and avoids it.’’ [Hilyatul Awliyaa: 7/274]
Saeed Mansoor (rahimahullaah) said: Wakee (rahimahullaah) came to Makkah and he used to be chubby. So Fudayl Ibn Iyaad (rahimahullaah) said to him, ”what is this chubbiness and you are the Raahib of Basra (i.e. the one known for seclusion, devotion in worship, abstinence from the worldly life etc.).” He Wakee said: ”this is from my joyfulness with Islaam (i.e. the happiness I feel in Islam).” [Siyar A’laam Nubulaa: 9/157]
Ahmad Bin Abee Hiwaaree (rahimahullaah) said: I heard Marwaan (rahimahullaah) saying: ”No one has been described to me except I saw that he was lesser than the description, except Wakee; for he was above what was described to me.” Hilyatul Awliyaa: 8/370]
Abdur Razzaaq (rahimahullaah) said: ”I have seen Sufyaan Ath-Thawree, Sufyaan Bin Uyaynah, Mamar, Maalik, and I have seen, and I have seen. My two eyes have not seen (someone) like Wakee.” [Siyar A’laam Nubulaa: 9/146-147]
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Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) said: Hammaad Bin Zaiyd is from the Imaams of the muslims and the people of religion. He is more beloved to me than Hammaad Bin Salama (rahimahullaah). [Siyar A;laam Nubulaa:7/458]
It was narrated from Layth Ibn Sad (rahimahullaah) who said: ”I reached eighty years of age and had never debated with a man of desires.” [Siyar A’laam Nubulaa: 8/144]