Respect and Honour Among the Sahaba
Imam Hasan (or Husain) Radiyallahu anhum the grandson of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam went to see a sahabi Radiyallahu anhum who was a muhaddith, to ask some mas`alah on some aspect of Din. On reaching the sahabi Radiyallahu anhum residence, he waited outside for the sahabi Radiyallahu anhum to come out. This was the correct etiquette in this situation. When the sahabi Radiyallahu anhum came out, he greeted him. Recognising the honoured guest, the sahabi Radiyallahu anhum said: “You should have called me from inside”. Imam Hasan Radiyallahu anhum replied: “I acted according to my grandfather`s instructions”. The sahabi Radiyallahu anhum had been ordered not to call out to Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam when desiring to ask a mas`ala, but to wait outside.
Lo! Those who call you from behind the private apartments, most of them have no sense. And if thy had had patience till you came forth to them, it had been better for them. And Allah is forgiving and merciful. (S.49.4-5.)
He continued: “I have come to acquire about some Dini matter from you”. The sahabi Radiyallahu anhum gladly obliged. A discussion took place and the matter was resolved.
It so happened that sahabi Radiyallahu anhum had to travel someplace. His horse arrived at that moment and he walked over to his horse. Imam Hasan (or Husain) Radiyallahu anhum walked to the opposite side of the horse and held the stirrup steady in anticipation of the sahabi Radiyallahu anhum mounting. The sahabi Radiyallahu anhum became embarrassed that such an honoured person as the grandson of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam should stand in attendance on him. Instead of mounting he walked over to Imam Hasan (or Husain) Radiyallahu anhum and said: “It is very gracious of you to hold the stirrup for me, but, really, it is not necessary.”
Imam Hasan (or Husain) Radiyallahu anhum said: “This is just to enable you to mount with ease. It is my grandfather`s instructions that one respectfully serves one`s ustad.”
You will notice that there was no thought as to whose grandson he was and that this service was below his dignity. He had no airs about him. The sahabi Radiyallahu anhum responded by taking the hand of Imam Hasan (or Husain) Radiyallahu anhum and raising to his lips, he kissed it. “If your grandfather had instructed you in that manner, then he had instructed us in this manner.”
