He replied:

“Praise be to Allah. It is established in the Sahīh, in a hadith narrated by Jubayr, that he said: ‘Let the elder speak; let the elder speak.’ That is, the older person should speak. It is also established in the hadith concerning leadership in prayer that he said: ‘If they are equal—in Quran recitation, knowledge of the Sunnah, and emigration—then the oldest of them should lead them in prayer.’”

Among the reports they also relate is:

“An elder among his people is like a prophet among his community.”

He replied:

“Praise be to Allah. These are not the words of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him; rather, this is something some people say.”

Among the reports they also relate is:

“If a believer’s fear and hope were weighed, they would balance each other.”

He replied:

“Praise be to Allah. This is reported from some of the early generations, and its meaning is sound.”

Among the reports they relate about ʿAlī, may Allah be pleased with him, is that a Bedouin rushed through his prayer. ʿAlī told him, “Do not rush through your prayer.” The Bedouin replied, “Had your father prayed that way, he would not have entered the Fire.”