The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was the best educator. He used to teach his companions on the basis of situations that happened to them, using them as examples to explain to them the path of guidance, and to show them the way to that which is in their best interests in this world and the hereafter. In this hadith, Abu Waqid al-Laythi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was sitting with his companions in the mosque, when three men came along. As for the first one, he found space in the circle, so he sat in it. As for the second one, he sat behind the circle, as if he was too shy to push his way in and make it difficult for the people. As for the third, he turned away and left, and did not join the circle. When the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) finished what he was talking about, teaching the Qur’an, Islamic knowledge and so on, he said: Shall I not tell you about these people? As for one of them, he turned to Allah, so Allah granted him refuge. He is the one who sat in the gap, because he was sincere and eager to sit with the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), so Allah made it easy for him and provided space for him in the gathering of His Prophet. It was also said that was meant is that Allah caused him to be close to where His Prophet was sitting, and it was said that what was meant is that He will grant him refuge in the shade of His Throne. As for the second man, he felt too shy, so he did not push his way in, out of shyness before the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and his companions, or he sat down because he was too shy to leave the circle of knowledge. So Allah felt shy of him, because he did not push in or put himself forward. As for the third man, he turned away and left the gathering of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), so Allah turned away from him and did not inspire him to sit with those righteous people. This hadith affirms the attribute of haya’ (shyness) for Allah, but it is not like the shyness of people; rather it is shyness in a perfect sense, as is befitting for Allah (may He be glorified and exalted). This hadith also indicates that whoever seeks knowledge and gatherings of knowledge, then turns away from them, Allah will turn away from him, and if Allah turns away from someone, that person has exposed himself to His wrath. We ask Allah to keep us safe and sound. It also indicates that part of good manners is to sit wherever one finds space, and not to make someone else get up and move. The report also indicates that a knowledgeable person may teach the people who are sitting with him about issues of knowledge, before anyone asks about those issues. It also indicates that shyness is a praiseworthy characteristic. And it indicates that the one who shows no interest in knowledge is worthy of criticism, because no one is deprived of knowledge of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and still has any goodness in him..