The Seminary of True guidance and direction The edifying and blissful assemblies of the HOLY PROPHET (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam)

His assemblies used to be gathering of composure and knowledge, resolution and fortitude, modesty and peace. There voices were not raised, no one’s honor was sullied and no one’s errors were publicized.

Those attending his assemblies turned to each other with modesty due to piety. They respected the elders, treated the juniors with kindness, helped the needy and sympathized with the homeless.[Nashrul-Tib]

Hadrat Zaid bin Haris (Radi Allahu Ta’ala’anhu) narrated ‘I was a neighbor of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Whenever he received a Wahee (revelation) he would send for me. I would come and write it down. (He treated us with highest  consideration and without the least reservation). He would converse just as we did. (i.e. did not confine the conversation to matters of the Hereafter only, and would not even like to hear about worldly affairs). When we turned our attention to the Hereafter, he would also talk of the Hereafter. Elucidating, when there was a discourse about the Hereafter, he would dwell on the subject in detail and when everyday affairs like eating and drinking were discussed, he too would speak of the same. The etiquette of eating and  drinking, varieties of delicious dishes, their wholesomeness or harmfulness - everything would be discussed. [Khasail-e-Nabawi]

When he sat together with his companions he, in order to avoid any distinction, would not stretch his knees beyond those of others. [Zad-ul-Ma’d]

He did not like the person making an inquiry about anything while he was standing and would look at him with surprise.                    If anybody put to him a question while he was busy explaining the point to someone else he would continue his discourse until he had finished it as if he had not heard the question at all. Having completed the discourse, he would turn to the person, inquire his  point and would reply to it.

In a gathering of his companions, he would sit amidst them. While discussing a point he would address the audience by turning his face sometimes this way and sometimes that way, so that everybody present could have a look at his noble countenance.

In a gathering he would sit with his knees up and the bottom of his feet on the ground with his arms round his legs and at times with his hands under his arms. This was his usual manner of sitting - token of simplicity and modesty. Sometimes he sat with his feet drawn under him. Sometimes he used to squat. [Nashrut-Tib]

While sitting down or getting up he would constantly remember ALLAH. He never chose any particular place for himself, and never insisted on sitting only there, much less ask anyone sitting there to vacate the place for him. He forbade others also from specifying a  place for themselves. Whenever he joined a gathering, he would sit down at the end of it. He asked others to do likewise. He would give everyone of those sitting with him his due share of attention and address. He would address everyone individually so that the man thought himself the most favored.

If anyone for his own sake sat or remained standing with him, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) remained bound with him until the person himself got up.

If anyone asked him, for something he would not allow him to go away without satisfying his need or would express his inability courteously.

His pleasing disposition and civility were usual for all Humans. It could not be otherwise, as he was their spiritual father. And in the matter of rights, every one, in his view, was equal. They were, however, distinguishable on the basis of taqwa (fear of ALLAH) i.e. one who was more righteous received preference. In all other respects they were considered on a par and had equal rights. (Traditions from Hasan Ibn Ali) (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu)