A man began to praise Uthman, so Miqdad knelt down on his knees, and being a heavy-set man, he started flinging pebbles into the man's face.Uthman said to him, "What is the matter with you?"He replied, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, 'When you see those who lavish praise, throw dust in their faces.'"
أن رجلا جعل يمدح عثمان، فعمد المقداد فجثا على ركبتيه، وكان رجلا ضخما، فجعل يحثو في وجهه الحصباء، فقال له عثمان: ما شأنك؟ فقال: إن رسول الله ﷺ قال: إذا رأيتم المداحين، فاحثوا في وجوههم التراب.
Muslim reported it in "Asceticism and Tender Hearts" (3002:69) through the route of Muhammad bin Jafar, who said, Shubah related to us, from Mansur, from Ibrahim, from Hammam bin Harith, and he mentioned it. Miqdad ﷺ acted according to the apparent meaning of the hadith, and a group of scholars agreed with him, adopting this view. The majority said that it is a figurative expression conveying a strong rebuke directed at someone who exaggerates in praise in order to obtain worldly benefits, so do not give them anything for their praise if that intention is recognized in them.As for acceptable praise, many hadiths have come in the Sahihayn and other collections praising scholars and rulers who are not at risk of being afflicted by vanity or similar temptations when they hear praise. Indeed, such praise may even encourage them to increase in good deeds and persevere in them, and this is something that can be observed both in the present and in times past.