Imam al-Husayn (peace be upon him) said:

“I asked my father about the gathering of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), and he said:

‘The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) never sat down or stood up except while remembering Allah, Glorious is His Name. He did not reserve particular places for himself, nor did he allow others to reserve them.’ (That is, he did not establish a special seat for himself that distinguished him from others.)

‘When he came to a group of people, he would sit wherever the gathering ended, and he instructed others to do the same. He gave each of his companions their due attention, so that none of those sitting with him would think that another person was more honored in his eyes than he was.

Whoever sat with him or came to him with a request, he would patiently remain with that person until the person himself departed. Whoever asked him for something, he would not turn him away without fulfilling his request, or at least responding with kind and reassuring words. His generosity and good character encompassed everyone. He was like a father to them, and all of them were equal before him with regard to justice and truth.’

His gatherings were gatherings of forbearance, modesty, patience, and trustworthiness. Voices were not raised there, people’s sanctities were not violated, and his slips or shortcomings were not exposed. Those present were equal, while differing only according to their piety. They were humble; they respected the elderly, showed mercy toward the young, gave preference to those in need, and took care of strangers.

As for his conduct with those who sat with him, al-Husayn (peace be upon him) relates from his father, Imam Ali (peace be upon him):

‘The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) was always cheerful, gentle in character, and kind in his dealings. He was neither harsh nor rough, neither loud nor vulgar, nor one who insulted or criticized others. He did not excessively praise people. He would overlook what he disliked, without making people lose hope in him or disappointing those who hoped for his help.

He avoided three things: arguing, excessive talking, and speaking about matters that did not concern him. He also kept people away from three things: he never criticized anyone, never reproached or humiliated anyone, and never sought to expose anyone’s faults. He spoke only about matters for which he hoped to receive a reward from Allah.

When he spoke, his companions would listen attentively, as though birds were perched upon their heads. When he became silent, they would speak. They would not argue with one another in his presence. Whenever he spoke, they listened to him until he had finished.

Their conversation in his presence was treated equally, regardless of who began speaking. He would laugh at what they laughed at and express amazement at what amazed them. He patiently tolerated the roughness in the speech and questions of strangers, to the extent that his companions would bring such people to him and encourage them to ask.

He would say: “When you see someone seeking to have a need fulfilled, assist him.”

He would accept praise only from someone who had received something in return, and he would never interrupt anyone while they were speaking until the person had finished, at which point he would either end the conversation himself or rise.’”

Regarding his participation in the conversations taking place in the gathering, Zayd ibn Thabit said:

“Whenever we sat with him (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), if we began speaking about the Hereafter, he would join us in that discussion. If we spoke about worldly matters, he would join us. And if we spoke about food and drink, he would join us in that conversation as well.”

Another example of the excellence of his character with those sitting with him is mentioned by Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), who said:

“The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) would distribute his glances among his companions, looking at one and then another equally. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) would never stretch out his legs among his companions.

If a man shook his hand, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) would not withdraw his hand until the man himself withdrew his. When they realized this, a man who shook his hand would gently pull his own hand away from his.”