Hiding Righteous Tears
It is reported from Ḥammād b. Zayd that ʾAyyūb [Al-Sakhtiyānī] was once in a gathering when he was effected (moved to tears) by an exhortation, so he began wiping his nose saying, How severe a cold can be!
It is reported from Ḥammād b. Zayd that he said, I never saw a man who used to smile more at people than ʾAyyūb.
Al-Dhahabī, Siyar ʾAʿlām Al-Nubalāʾ 5:17
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Related sayings.
An example of how the Salaf fled from fame to preserve their sincerity.
It is reported that Ayyūb Al-Sakhtiyānī – Allāh have mercy on him – said: Whoever loves Abū Bakr has upheld the religion, whoever loves ‘Umar has made the way clear, whoever loves ‘Uthmān is enlightened by the light of Allāh, and whoever loves ‘Alī has taken the firmest handhold. Whoever speaks well of the Companions […]