He would concern himself with them and occupy them with what...

He would concern himself with them and occupy them with what would benefit both them and the community by asking about them and getting them to inform him of what was needed.

He would say: 'Let those present inform those who are absent and whoever is not able to inform me of his needs then let someone else do it on his behalf.'29 28 The Path of Eloquence; speech #192, The Speech of Disparagement 29 sunan al-nab:; p.14 Imam H{usayn relates: 'Then I asked my father about how the Apostle of God spent his time outside the house. He said: 'The Apostle of God, may Allah bless him and his family, would guard his tongue except in matters which concerned him.

He would work to unite the people and not divide them. He would honour the nobles of every people and place them in authority over them. He would warn the people against discords. He would be on his guard with the people at all times but would never withhold from them his smile or good manners. He would miss those of his companions who were absent and would ask the people about the affairs of the people, and would encourage what was beautiful and good and discourage what was ugly and bad.

He was balanced and did not go to extremes and would never become heedless for fear that the people would become heedless and divert from the right path. He was prepared for every situation and would not fall short of the truth nor go beyond it. It was the best of the people who followed him.

In his view the best of them were those who gave the best counsel and the highest in station were those who gave the best solidarity and support.'30 Imam H{usayn relates: 'Then I asked my father about his gatherings. He said: 'Whenever the Apostle of God sat down to a meeting or stood up from one he would always be in remembrance of God, glory be to His name. Whenever he sat with some people he would always stay until the end of the gathering and would order others to do the same.

He would give each of those present his due so that everyone would think that they were the most honoured person present. Whenever he sat with someone or stood with him regarding a matter, he would wait patiently until the other person was 30 mak"rim al-akhl"q; p.13 satisfied and left. If anyone asked him for anything he would either give him what he asked or speak to him some kind words.

His openness and good manners enveloped the people and he was to them as a father and to him they all had equal rights.