His gatherings were gatherings of kindness and modesty...
His gatherings were gatherings of kindness and modesty, patience and trust, where voices were not raised and sanctity was not trampled upon. There the people vied with each other to be the most just and the most virtuous and God- conscious. They would respect the elders and treat the young with mercy and give preference to those in need and protect the stranger.'31 Imam H{usayn also relates that his father said: 'The Apostle of God was constantly smiling, and very easy to get along with.
He was not uncouth or hard-hearted, loud voiced or immodest. He would not seek to find faults with people nor to flatter people. He would ignore and avoid that which he did not like, but [no one] would lose hope from him nor would he disappoint anyone. He forbade himself three things: showing off, excess in anything and [interfering in] those things which did not concern him.
He held back three things from the people: he would not condemn or rebuke anyone, nor would he seek out another's secrets, and would only speak in matters in which he sought a divine reward. 31 ibid; p.14 When he spoke his companions lowered their heads as though birds had landed upon them32 and when he fell silent they spoke. They would not vie with each other to speak, and when he spoke they would pay attention until he had finished.
They spoke with him as they spoke normally; he would laugh with them when they laughed and be amazed when they were amazed. He would bear the uncouth language and questions of a stranger with patience. He would say: 'If you see someone in need then aid him'. He would not accept praise except from his equals.
He would never interrupt another person when he was speaking until he asked permission or until the speech had ended or the other person stood up to leave.33 It is related that Zayd ibn Th"bit said: 'When we sat with the Prophet and we began to talk about the afterlife he would join in with us. If we began to talk about worldly affairs he would also join in with us.