His gatherings were a continual remembrance of Allah; he never tired of it, even while others around him engaged in ordinary talk. Yet whenever he spoke, or was asked about a matter, his answer was exemplary.
Ayyūb ibn Suwayd narrated from al-Awzāʿī: “When ʿAṭāʾ ibn Abī Rabāḥ died, he was, in the people’s eyes, the most acceptable man on earth. Despite that, only nine—or perhaps eight—persons used to attend his circle.”
Al-Thawri related from Salamah ibn Kuhayl: “I have never seen anyone who sought this knowledge purely for the sake of Allah except these three—ʿAṭāʾ, Ṭāwūs, and Mujāhid.”
Ibn Jurayj said, “For twenty years the mosque was ʿAṭāʾ’s only ‘bed,’ and he was among those who prayed in the most beautiful manner.”
Ismāʿīl ibn ʿAyyāsh reported: “I asked ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿUthmān ibn Khuthaym, ‘How did ʿAṭāʾ earn his living?’ He answered, ‘Through the generosity of his brethren and what he received from the ruler.’”
Al-Aṣmaʿī said: “ʿAṭāʾ ibn Abī Rabāḥ entered upon ʿAbd al-Malik while the caliph was seated on his throne in Mecca during the ḥajj, surrounded by the notables. As soon as ʿAbd al-Malik saw him, he rose, greeted him, seated him beside himself on the throne, then sat down in front of him and said, ‘Abū Muḥammad, what do you need?’
He replied, ‘Commander of the Believers! Fear Allah with regard to the ḥaram of Allah and the ḥaram of His Messenger (the sacred precincts); see that they are properly maintained. Fear Allah concerning the children of the Muhājirūn and the Anṣār, for it is because of them that you occupy this seat. Fear Allah with regard to those stationed on the frontier posts, for they are the rampart of the Muslims. Look after the affairs of the Muslims, for you alone will be called to account for them. And fear Allah concerning those who stand at your door; do not neglect them, and do not bar your gate against them.’
He answered, ‘I will do so.’
Then ʿAṭāʾ rose to leave. ʿAbd al-Malik clasped his hand and said, ‘Abū Muḥammad, you have only asked of us the needs of others, and we have granted them. What is your own need?’
He replied, ‘I have no need of any created being.’ Then