Humaid bin Mas’adah al-Basri told us: Humaid bin al-Aswad told us, on the authority of Usamah bin Zaid, on the authority of al-Zuhri, on the authority of Urwah, on the authority of Aishah, who said: The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, did not speak in the rapid manner you do, but he spoke with clear and distinct words, which those who sat with him could memorize.

Muhammad ibn Yahya told us, saying: Abu Qutaybah Salm ibn Qutaybah told us, on the authority of Abdullah ibn al-Muthanna, on the authority of Thumamah, on the authority of Anas ibn Malik, who said: The Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace, used to repeat a word three times so that it would be understood from him.

Sufyan ibn Waki’ told us: Jami’ ibn ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman al-‘Ijli told us: A man from Banu Tamim, a descendant of Abu Hala, the husband of Khadija, known as Abu ‘Abd Allah, told me, on the authority of a son of Abu Hala, on the authority of al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali, who said: I asked my maternal uncle, Hind ibn Abi Hala, who was a describer, and I said: Describe to me… The logic of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, is that he was constantly sorrowful, always deep in thought, never at rest, often silent, never speaking except when necessary. He would begin and end his speech with the name of God Almighty, and he would speak concisely and comprehensively. His speech was clear and to the point, neither excessive nor deficient. He was neither harsh nor disrespectful, and he appreciated blessings, even if they were small. He was meticulous, finding fault with nothing about it, except that he neither criticized nor praised a connoisseur. The world and all that pertained to it did not anger him. If justice was violated, nothing could withstand his anger until he had vindicated it. He did not become angry for his own sake, nor did he seek victory for it. When he gestured, he used his whole hand; when he was surprised, he turned it over; and when he spoke, he connected with it, striking the palm of his right hand against the inside of his head. His left thumb, and when he was angry he turned away and averted his gaze, and when he was happy he lowered his eyes, most of his laughter was a smile, which would reveal something like a cloud's grain.