Priceless Pearls

Part 2:
Sayings of others concerning Hassan Al Basri:
Khalid ibn Safwaan said: I met Maslamah and said to him, "Tell me about Hassan because I do not think anyone knows him like you do."
Maslamah said, " I am the best who will tell you about him because I am his neighbor and I attend his gatherings. Whatever is in his mind is similar to what he is doing. His speech and statements are like his actions. If he enjoins good, he is the first to do it. And if he forbids from evil, then he is the first to stay away from it. He didn't need people and he never asked people for what they had. However, I saw the people asking of him, and seeking his knowledge."
Khalid ibn Safwaan then said, "Enough Maslamah. How can people be misguided while he is around?"

Al Ashas said, " I've never met a man after Hassan Al Basri except that they would not be at the level of Hassan."

Hassan was said to be a man who would cry at night. He would try to elevate the the people around him so that they can imitate the sahabah who were the best generation.

Sayings of Hassan:
Hassan once saw a big funeral and asked why there was a big crowd. The people replied by telling him who it was that passed away. Hassan said, "There is the pillar he used to sit next to."
 (the man who passed away was a worshiper. So he was saying, why don't you do what he used to do.)

Hamza Al Amaa once said, "I used to go to the house of Hassan Al Basri while he was crying in prayer. One day, I told him that he cried too much.  and he said to me, "Oh my son, what will a mu'min do if he doesn't cry? Crying will bring the mercy of Allah to you. And if you were able to cry your entire life then do so because maybe Allah will look at you while you are crying and have mercy on you." 
Hafs Ibn Umer once said: Hassan was crying so the people around him asked why he was crying. Hassan said, "I fear that Allah will throw me to the hell fire and will not care about me."This is the mu'min. You have to have hope that Allah will forgive you, and yet fear his punishment.

A man once came to Hassan Al Basri and said: Why don't we feel shy from Allah? We keep making mistakes and asking for forgiveness. Then we commit sins again and ask Him to forgive us. Hassan replied by saying, "Shaytan will wish that you stop asking forgiveness of Allah, so never stop asking forgiveness of Allah."
A young man came to Hassan Al Basri and told him that he commits sins, yet Allah has opened the doors of wealth for him and had blessed him with children and health. Hassan asked if he prayed Tahajuud. the man replied in the negative. Hassan then said, "This is your punishment for not being able to stand at night."

More of  Hassan Al Basri's sayings:

• "We are poor. We eat our provisions, and wait for our death."
• "Son of Adam, you are nothing but a number of days. When one day passes, part of you is gone."
• "Death has shown us the reality of this worldly life. It didn't leave any happiness for those who are wise."