121 – ʿAbd Allah narrated to us; he said: Husayn ibn ʿAbd al-Rahman related to me, saying: A shaykh from the tribe of Bahilah told me:

Whenever Maslama ibn ʿAbd al-Malik was beset by a crowd of petitioners and feared that he might grow weary, he would say to his usher, “Show my companions in.” ⦗100⦘ They would enter, and he would entertain them and they him, praising people’s fine qualities and noble conduct. Their conversation delighted and stirred him, affecting him like wine affects its drinker. Then he would say to his chamberlain, “Now admit the petitioners,” and no one would be left whose need was not fulfilled.