Face Anger with Politeness (story)

Once a follower of the evil king Mu'awiya came to Madina from Syria. When he saw our 2nd Imam, Imam Hasan (A), he started to shout bad names and use foul language at the Imam (A). This was because in Syria, Mu'awiya had spread lies about the Imam (A) to tarnish his name. The Syrians had been under Mu'awiya's power for so long that they believed his lies and did not understand the high position of the Ahlul Bayt (A).

In Syria, the Muslims did not give their children names like Ali, Hasan and Husain, because they had heard so many bad things about them. The Imam (A) knew that the Syrian who was being so rude to him had been misled by Mu'awiya and his people. So, the Imam (A) did not say anything and heard the man quietly. The followers of the Imam (A) wanted to punish the man for what he had said, but he told them to leave the Syrian man alone. The Imam (A) then turned to the man and greeted him with "Salaam. He then invited him to come to his house for food and a rest as he had just come from a long trip.

When the man saw the perfect manners. (Akhlaq) of the Imam (A), he realised that what Mu'awiya had told him about the Imam (A) was untrue. He felt very ashamed of how he had spoken. He began to cry and then he said, "Allah certainly placed Prophethood and lmamate with the best people!" · The man begged the Imam (A) for forgiveness. Thereafter, whenever he heard anyone saying anything against the Imam (A) he would correct them. 1

We learn from the Imam that: 
Never get angry at someone when they are angry. It takes two people to start a fight.
No matter how other people act, you should always have perfect Akhlaq.
Do not blindly believe bad things that you hear about other people. 

A hadith from the Imam

And know it that indeed whoever fears Allah (adopts piety) Allah paves his way of salvation out of the inequities. And makes him firm in his matter. And provides him (the path of) guidance. And makes his proof & arguments successful & enlightens his face and grants him what he desires. He is with those upon whom Allah has bestowed His beneficences & boons from among the Prophets & the truthful & the martyrs & pious ones. 2

1. Majlisi, Biharul Anwar, Chapter on the Virtues of Imam Hasan (A)
2. Tuhaf al-Uqul P 232