Someone said to Ashab, "If you were to relate traditions and stop telling jokes, you would be doing a noble thing."
"By God!" answered Ashab, "I have heard traditions and related them."
"Then tell us", said the man.
"I heard from Nafai," said Ashab, "on the authority of such-and-such, that the Prophet, may God bless him, said, "There are two qualities, such that whoever has them is among God's elect."
"That is a fine tradition", said the man. "What are these two qualities?"
"Nafai forgot one and I have forgotten the other," replied Ashab.
(a 9th century joke)