—equally between the elite and the common folk, withholding nothing from any of them.

During the portion he devoted to the community, one feature of his practice was to favor people of merit—by his permission and allotment—in proportion to their standing in the religion. Among them was the one with a single need, the one with two needs, and those with numerous needs. He would attend to them, and occupy them with whatever benefited both themselves and the ummah, responding to their questions about him and informing them of what was required of them. He would say:

“Let those of you who are present convey it to those who are absent, and bring to me the need of anyone who cannot present it himself; for whoever conveys to a ruler the need of someone who is unable to present it, Allah will keep his feet firm on the Day of Resurrection.”

Nothing else was spoken of in his presence, and nothing other than that was accepted from anyone. Visitors would enter as seekers, and they would not disperse until they had tasted something (of benefit); they would depart as guides—meaning, pointing others toward goodness.

He said: “I then asked him about the Prophet’s conduct when he went out—what did he do on such occasions?” He replied: [22]