Ibn Mas'ud was heard to say, "You are living at a time when there
are many men of understanding and few orators. There are few who ask and
many who give. In it there is more action than diversion. After you there
will come a time when there are few men of understanding and many orators.
There will be many who ask and few who give. Guidance in it directs action.
Know that right guidance at the end of time is better than some actions."
Fadala ibn 'Ubayd was at a meeting when he heard that some people
were playing backgammon. He got up in anger to forbid it in the strongest
possible terms. Then he said, "The one who plays in order to live on his
winnings is like a person who eats pig meat and does wudu' in blood."
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَلاَمٍ، قَالَ: أَخْبَرَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللهِ، عَنِ الْجُرَيْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي الطُّفَيْلِ، قَالَ: قُلْتُ لَهُ: رَأَيْتَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ، وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ عَلَى ظَهْرِ الأَرْضِ رَجُلاً حَيًّا رَأَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم غَيْرِي، قَالَ: وَكَانَ أَبْيَضَ، مَلِيحَ الْوَجْهِ.
Abu't-Tufayl said, "I was asked, 'Did you see the Prophet, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace?' 'Yes,' I replied, 'and I do not know
of any man left alive on the face of the earth except myself who saw the
Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.' He went on, 'The Prophet
had white skin and a handsome face.'"
Al-Bara' ibn 'Azib reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace, said, "Spread the greeting to people and
you will be safe. The saw is evil."
