ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak

Al-ʿAbbās ibn Aḥmad ibn al-Faḍl al-Hāshimī narrated to us: Aḥmad narrated to us: ʿAlī narrated to us: Sulaymān narrated to us: ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥasan al-Shaqīqī narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say, “I did not attend Sufyān until Abū Ḥanīfa’s knowledge was in my grasp.”

Al-ʿAbbās ibn Aḥmad ibn al-Faḍl al-Hāshimī narrated to us: Aḥmad narrated to us: ʿAlī narrated to us: Sulaymān narrated to us: ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥasan al-Shaqīqī narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say, “I did not attend Sufyān until Abū Ḥanīfa’s knowledge was in my grasp.”

Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Ṣayrafī informed us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Miskī narrated to us: ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Nakhaʿī narrated to us: Ibrāhīm ibn Isḥāq narrated to us: Isḥāq narrated to us, from ʿAbd al-Razzāq, who said: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say, “If anyone of our age has the right to speak by his own judgment, Abū Ḥanīfa has the greatest right to do so.”

Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Ṣayrafī informed us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Miskī narrated to us: ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Nakhaʿī narrated to us: Ibrāhīm ibn Isḥāq narrated to us: Isḥāq narrated to us, from ʿAbd al-Razzāq, who said: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say, “If anyone of our age has the right to speak by his own judgment, Abū Ḥanīfa has the greatest right to do so.”

ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥasan al-Rāzī narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Zaʿfarānī, resident of Wāsiṭ, narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Abī Khaythama narrated to us: I heard Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal say, “Ibn al-Mubārak was born in the year 118.”

ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥasan al-Rāzī narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Zaʿfarānī, resident of Wāsiṭ, narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Abī Khaythama narrated to us: I heard Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal say, “Ibn al-Mubārak was born in the year 118.”

ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥasan narrated to us: al-Zaʿfarānī narrated to us: Ibn Abī Khaythama narrated to us: I heard al-Walīd ibn Shujāʿ say, “ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak’s kunyah was Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān.”

ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥasan narrated to us: al-Zaʿfarānī narrated to us: Ibn Abī Khaythama narrated to us: I heard al-Walīd ibn Shujāʿ say, “ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak’s kunyah was Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn ibn Ḥayyān narrated to us, from his father: Yaḥyā ibn Maʿīn informed us: Sufyān al-Thawrī, ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak, Ḥammād ibn Zayd, Wakīʿ, ʿAbbād ibn al-ʿAwwām, and Jarīr transmitted from Abū Ḥanīfa. Yaḥyā ibn Maʿīn said: “Ibn al-Mubārak is more reliable in my estimation than ʿAbd al-Razzāq and Maʿmar. By God, that is my view. He is among the most dependable people in what he narrates, and among the finest Muslims.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn ibn Ḥayyān narrated to us, from his father: Yaḥyā ibn Maʿīn informed us: Sufyān al-Thawrī, ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak, Ḥammād ibn Zayd, Wakīʿ, ʿAbbād ibn al-ʿAwwām, and Jarīr transmitted from Abū Ḥanīfa. Yaḥyā ibn Maʿīn said: “Ibn al-Mubārak is more reliable in my estimation than ʿAbd al-Razzāq and Maʿmar. By God, that is my view. He is among the most dependable people in what he narrates, and among the finest Muslims.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAlī al-Abbār narrated to us: Abū Bakr al-Ṭālaqānī narrated to us: ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Mahdī narrated to us, saying: “Any hadith unknown to Ibn al-Mubārak is unknown to us.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAlī al-Abbār narrated to us: Abū Bakr al-Ṭālaqānī narrated to us: ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Mahdī narrated to us, saying: “Any hadith unknown to Ibn al-Mubārak is unknown to us.”

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥulwānī informed us: Makram narrated to us: ʿAlī ibn Ṣāliḥ al-Baghawī narrated to us, from al-Ḥasan ibn ʿArafa al-ʿAbdī, who said: ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak said, “We will not lie to God about ourselves. Our imam in jurisprudence is Abū Ḥanīfa, and in hadith Sufyān. When they agree, I do not care who disagrees with them.”

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥulwānī informed us: Makram narrated to us: ʿAlī ibn Ṣāliḥ al-Baghawī narrated to us, from al-Ḥasan ibn ʿArafa al-ʿAbdī, who said: ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak said, “We will not lie to God about ourselves. Our imam in jurisprudence is Abū Ḥanīfa, and in hadith Sufyān. When they agree, I do not care who disagrees with them.”

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥulwānī informed us: the judge Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥimmānī narrated to us: Ibn Muqātil said: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say, “I copied Abū Ḥanīfa’s books more than once. Additions would appear in them, and I would copy them.” Ibn al-Mubārak said, “When you see a man speaking against Abū Ḥanīfa and mentioning him unfavorably, his knowledge is narrow; pay no attention to him.” When Abū Ḥanīfa was mentioned, Ibn al-Mubārak would weep out of love for him.

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥulwānī informed us: the judge Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥimmānī narrated to us: Ibn Muqātil said: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say, “I copied Abū Ḥanīfa’s books more than once. Additions would appear in them, and I would copy them.” Ibn al-Mubārak said, “When you see a man speaking against Abū Ḥanīfa and mentioning him unfavorably, his knowledge is narrow; pay no attention to him.” When Abū Ḥanīfa was mentioned, Ibn al-Mubārak would weep out of love for him.

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad the witness informed us: ʿAbd Allāh ibn Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal narrated to us: Ḥasan ibn ʿĪsā narrated to me, saying: We stood at Sufyān ibn ʿUyayna’s door at night, waiting for him, at the time of the late evening prayer. One person said he was with Yaḥyā ibn Khālid; another said he was with Jaʿfar ibn Yaḥyā. A man among them said, “Lord, my eye should not see a single man besides this learned figure among the people.” A man whom I thought to be from the people of al-Barra [place-name uncertain] said, “Yes: ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak.” Another said, “Then name someone else,” and he fell silent. I went to Kufa and told Ibn al-Mubārak this, but did not say, “You were named”; I said, “They named a man.” He seemed to understand, then said, “Why did they not say al-Fuḍayl ibn ʿIyāḍ?” I said, “They did not,” and he fell silent.

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad the witness informed us: ʿAbd Allāh ibn Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal narrated to us: Ḥasan ibn ʿĪsā narrated to me, saying: We stood at Sufyān ibn ʿUyayna’s door at night, waiting for him, at the time of the late evening prayer. One person said he was with Yaḥyā ibn Khālid; another said he was with Jaʿfar ibn Yaḥyā. A man among them said, “O Lord! I do not think my eye sees a single man among the people who equals this learned figure.” A man whom I thought to be from the people of Basra said, “Yes: ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak.” Another said, “Then name someone else,” and he fell silent. I went to Kufa and told Ibn al-Mubārak this, but did not say, “You were named”; I said, “They named a man.” He seemed to understand, then said, “Why did they not say al-Fuḍayl ibn ʿIyāḍ?” I said, “They did not,” and he fell silent.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad ibn Yaʿqūb ibn Shayba narrated to us, from his grandfather Yaʿqūb, from one of his teachers, from ʿAṭiyya ibn Asbāṭ, who was married to Ibn al-Mubārak’s sister: Whenever Ibn al-Mubārak came to Kufa, he visited Zufar, who lent him his books from Abū Ḥanīfa. He copied them repeatedly. A man asked him, “Which is more learned in jurisprudence, Abū Ḥanīfa or Mālik?” He replied, “Abū Ḥanīfa is more learned than an earth full of men like Mālik.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad ibn Yaʿqūb ibn Shayba narrated to us, from his grandfather Yaʿqūb, from one of his teachers, from ʿAṭiyya ibn Asbāṭ, who was married to Ibn al-Mubārak’s sister: Whenever Ibn al-Mubārak came to Kufa, he visited Zufar, who lent him his books from Abū Ḥanīfa. He copied them repeatedly. A man asked him, “Which is more learned in jurisprudence, Abū Ḥanīfa or Mālik?” He replied, “Abū Ḥanīfa is more learned than an earth full of men like Mālik.”

ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥasan al-Rāzī narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Zaʿfarānī narrated to us: Ibn Abī Khaythama narrated to us: Mūsā ibn Ismāʿīl narrated to us: I heard Sallām ibn Abī Muṭīʿ say, “Ibn al-Mubārak left no one like himself in the East.”

ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥasan al-Rāzī narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Zaʿfarānī narrated to us: Ibn Abī Khaythama narrated to us: Mūsā ibn Ismāʿīl narrated to us: I heard Sallām ibn Abī Muṭīʿ say, “Ibn al-Mubārak left no one like himself in the East.”

ʿUmar informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn Muqātil narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: Muḥammad ibn Wāsiʿ came to Khurasan. Qabīṣa said: The man whose prayers are answered has come to you. People gathered around him and asked him jurisprudential questions. He said: Jurisprudence is the craft of a young man in Kufa whose kunyah is Abū Ḥanīfa. They said: He does not know hadith. Ibn al-Mubārak said: How can you say he does not know it? He was asked about exchanging fresh dates for dried dates and said: There is no harm in it. They said: What about Saʿd’s report? He said: That is an anomalous report; Zayd Abū ʿAyyāsh’s transmission is not accepted. Would someone who said this not know hadith?

ʿUmar informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn Muqātil narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: Muḥammad ibn Wāsiʿ came to Khurasan. Qabīṣa said: The man whose prayers are answered has come to you. People gathered around him and asked him jurisprudential questions. He said: Jurisprudence is the craft of a young man in Kufa whose kunyah is Abū Ḥanīfa. They said: He does not know hadith. Ibn al-Mubārak said: How can you say he does not know it? He was asked about exchanging fresh dates for dried dates and said: There is no harm in it. They said: What about Saʿd’s report? He said: That is an anomalous report; Zayd Abū ʿAyyāsh’s transmission is not accepted. Would someone who said this not know hadith?

I found in Abū Jaʿfar al-Ṭaḥāwī’s book, in which he collected reports about our companions—the book that the judge ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Asadī transmitted to us by authorization—that Abū Bakr al-Dāmghānī, the jurist, had informed them. He said: Abū Jaʿfar narrated to us: I heard the judge Abū Khāzim say: Suwayd ibn Saʿd al-Ḥadathānī narrated to us, from ʿAlī ibn Mushir, who said: We were with Abū Ḥanīfa when ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak came to him and said: ‘What do you say about a man who was cooking a pot of food, into which a bird fell and died?’ Abū Ḥanīfa asked his companions: ‘What is your view?’ They transmitted to him from Ibn ʿAbbās, may God be pleased with them both, that the broth should be poured away, the meat washed, and then eaten. Abū Ḥanīfa said: ‘That is also our position, but with a condition: if it fell in while the pot was boiling, the meat must be discarded and the broth poured away. If it fell into it while it was still, the meat should be washed and the broth poured away.’ Ibn al-Mubārak asked him: ‘On what basis do you say this?’ He replied: ‘If it falls in while the pot is boiling, it penetrates the meat as far as vinegar and seasonings penetrate it. If it falls in while the pot is still, it only soils the meat without penetrating it.’ Ibn al-Mubārak said: ‘This is razīn’—meaning gold, in Persian—and made the finger gesture for thirty.

I found in Abū Jaʿfar al-Ṭaḥāwī’s book, in which he collected reports about our companions—the book that the judge ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Asadī transmitted to us by authorization—that Abū Bakr al-Dāmghānī, the jurist, had informed them. He said: Abū Jaʿfar narrated to us: I heard the judge Abū Khāzim say: Suwayd ibn Saʿd al-Ḥadathānī narrated to us, from ʿAlī ibn Mushir, who said: We were with Abū Ḥanīfa when ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak came to him and said: ‘What do you say about a man who was cooking a pot of food, into which a bird fell and died?’ Abū Ḥanīfa asked his companions: ‘What is your view?’ They transmitted to him from Ibn ʿAbbās, may God be pleased with them both, that the broth should be poured away, the meat washed, and then eaten. Abū Ḥanīfa said: ‘That is also our position, but with a condition: if it fell in while the pot was boiling, the meat must be discarded and the broth poured away. If it fell into it while it was still, the meat should be washed and the broth poured away.’ Ibn al-Mubārak asked him: ‘On what basis do you say this?’ He replied: ‘If it falls in while the pot is boiling, it penetrates the meat as far as vinegar and seasonings penetrate it. If it falls in while the pot is still, it only soils the meat without penetrating it.’ Ibn al-Mubārak said: ‘This is razīn’—meaning gold, in Persian—and made the finger gesture for thirty.

ʿUmar informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya al-Kūfī narrated to us: I heard Yaḥyā ibn Maʿīn say: Abū Ḥanīfa was too intelligent to lie. I never heard anyone describe and mention him with such praise as Ibn al-Mubārak did.

ʿUmar informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya al-Kūfī narrated to us: I heard Yaḥyā ibn Maʿīn say: Abū Ḥanīfa was too intelligent to lie. I never heard anyone describe and mention him with such praise as Ibn al-Mubārak did.

The judge Abū Naṣr Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad ibn Sahl al-Naysābūrī the jurist related to us: Aḥmad ibn Hārūn related: Muḥammad ibn al-Mundhir ibn Saʿīd al-Harawī related to me: Muḥammad ibn Sahl ibn Manṣūr al-Marwazī related: Aḥmad ibn Ibrāhīm related to me: I heard Manṣūr ibn Hāshim say: We were with ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak at al-Qādisiyya when a Kufan came and disparaged Abū Ḥanīfa. ʿAbd Allāh said: “Woe to you! Do you disparage a man who for forty-five years performed five prayers with one ablution? He completed the Qurʾān in two units during one night. I learned the jurisprudence I possess from Abū Ḥanīfa.”

The judge Abū Naṣr Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad ibn Sahl al-Naysābūrī the jurist related to us: Aḥmad ibn Hārūn the jurist related: Muḥammad ibn al-Mundhir ibn Saʿīd al-Harawī related to me: Muḥammad ibn Sahl ibn Manṣūr al-Marwazī related: Aḥmad ibn Ibrāhīm related to me: I heard Manṣūr ibn Hāshim say: We were with ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak at al-Qādisiyya when a Kufan came and disparaged Abū Ḥanīfa. ʿAbd Allāh said: “Woe to you! Do you disparage a man who for forty-five years performed five prayers with one ablution? He completed the Qurʾān in two units during one night. I learned the jurisprudence I possess from Abū Ḥanīfa.”

Abū al-Ḥasan al-ʿAbbās ibn Aḥmad ibn al-Faḍl al-Hāshimī recited to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Manṣūrī recited to us: ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Nakhaʿī recited to us: Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Miqrāḍ recited to us: Suwayd ibn Saʿīd al-Marwazī recited to us, saying: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say:

The imam of the Muslims, Abū Ḥanīfa, has adorned the lands and those who dwell in them,

with transmitted reports and jurisprudence in hadith, like the traces of the Psalms upon the written leaf.

He has no equal in the two Easts, nor the two Wests, nor Kufa.

I saw those who censured him acting foolishly, opposing truth with feeble arguments.

Abū al-Ḥasan al-ʿAbbās ibn Aḥmad ibn al-Faḍl al-Hāshimī recited to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Manṣūrī recited to us: ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Nakhaʿī recited to us: Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Miqrāḍ recited to us: Suwayd ibn Saʿīd al-Marwazī recited to us, saying: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say:

The imam of the Muslims, Abū Ḥanīfa, has adorned the lands and those who dwell in them,

with transmitted reports and jurisprudence in hadith, like the traces of the Psalms upon the written leaf.

He has no equal in the two Easts, nor the two Wests, nor Kufa.

I saw those who censured him acting foolishly, opposing truth with feeble arguments.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us, saying: Makram informed us, saying: ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn ibn Ḥibbān informed us, on the authority of his father, who said: I heard Yaḥyā ibn Maʿīn say: “I have seen no one better than Wakīʿ ibn al-Jarrāḥ.” He was asked: “Not even Ibn al-Mubārak?” He replied: “Ibn al-Mubārak certainly possessed excellence, but I have seen no one better than Wakīʿ. He would face the qibla and memorize his hadith, stand in prayer at night, fast continuously, and issue legal opinions according to Abū Ḥanīfa’s position. He had heard a great deal from him.” Yaḥyā ibn Maʿīn said: “Yaḥyā ibn Saʿīd al-Qaṭṭān also issued legal opinions according to Abū Ḥanīfa’s position.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us, saying: Makram informed us, saying: ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn ibn Ḥibbān informed us, on the authority of his father, who said: I heard Yaḥyā ibn Maʿīn say: “I have seen no one better than Wakīʿ ibn al-Jarrāḥ.” He was asked: “Not even Ibn al-Mubārak?” He replied: “Ibn al-Mubārak certainly possessed excellence, but I have seen no one better than Wakīʿ. He would face the qibla and memorize his hadith, stand in prayer at night, fast continuously, and issue legal opinions according to Abū Ḥanīfa’s position. He had heard a great deal from him.” Yaḥyā ibn Maʿīn said: “Yaḥyā ibn Saʿīd al-Qaṭṭān also issued legal opinions according to Abū Ḥanīfa’s position.”

ʿUmar informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Mufallis narrated to us: Al-Ḥimmānī narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: How dignified Abū Ḥanīfa’s gathering was! The jurists imitated him. He had a fine bearing, fine face, and fine clothes. One day we were in the congregational mosque when a snake fell into Abū Ḥanīfa’s lap. Everyone fled except him. I saw him do nothing more than shake the snake off and remain seated where he was.

ʿUmar informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Mufallis narrated to us: Al-Ḥimmānī narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: How dignified Abū Ḥanīfa’s gathering was! The jurists imitated him. He had a fine bearing, fine face, and fine clothes. One day we were in the congregational mosque when a snake dropped down and landed in Abū Ḥanīfa’s lap. Everyone fled except him. I saw him do nothing more than shake the snake off and remain seated where he was.

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥulwānī informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Al-Ḥasan ibn al-Rabīʿ narrated to us: Ibn al-Mubārak narrated to us: I heard Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī say: The people’s mufti in Kufa was Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān. Ḥammād had a son called Ismāʿīl ibn Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān. When Ḥammād died, they agreed that Ismāʿīl should sit to teach them and patiently attend to them. But they found that poetry, evening conversation, and accounts of bygone people predominated in his interests. Abū Bakr al-Nahshalī, one of Ḥammād’s companions, Abū Burda, Muḥammad ibn Jābir al-Ḥanafī, and a group of Ḥammād’s companions spoke; Abū Ḥuṣayn and Ḥabīb ibn Abī Thābit said: This silk merchant has good knowledge, though he is young; have him sit to teach. They did so. He was wealthy, generous, and intelligent. He sat and patiently devoted himself to them, generously supported them and gave them gifts. Judges and governors honored him, and his standing rose. The senior generation attended him; after them came Abū Yūsuf, Asad ibn ʿAmr, al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn, Abū Bakr al-Hudhalī, and al-Walīd ibn Abān. Those who opposed him and criticized him were Ibn Abī Laylā, Ibn Shubruma, al-Thawrī, Sharīk, and a group who disagreed with him and sought to discredit him. His standing continued to rise and his companions multiplied until his circle was the largest in the mosque and the most ample in answering questions. He was patient with them, generously provided for every needy person among them, and gave gifts to every prosperous person. People’s attention turned toward him until governors, judges, and nobles honored him. He met extraordinary expenses, everyone praised him, and he accomplished things that defeated the Arabs. His broad knowledge enabled him, and destiny favored him; those who envied him multiplied. He used to say: A judge is like a swimmer in the sea: how long can he swim, and whom can he satisfy, even if he is learned?

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥulwānī informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Al-Ḥasan ibn al-Rabīʿ narrated to us: Ibn al-Mubārak narrated to us: I heard Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī say: The people’s mufti in Kufa was Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān. Ḥammād had a son called Ismāʿīl ibn Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān. When Ḥammād died, they agreed that Ismāʿīl should sit to teach them and patiently attend to them. But they found that poetry, evening conversation, and accounts of bygone people predominated in his interests. Abū Bakr al-Nahshalī, one of Ḥammād’s companions, Abū Burda, Muḥammad ibn Jābir al-Ḥanafī, and a group of Ḥammād’s companions spoke; Abū Ḥuṣayn and Ḥabīb ibn Abī Thābit said: This silk merchant has good knowledge, though he is young; have him sit to teach. They did so. He was wealthy, generous, and intelligent. He sat and patiently devoted himself to them, generously supported them and gave them gifts. Judges and governors honored him, and his standing rose. The senior generation attended him; after them came Abū Yūsuf, Asad ibn ʿAmr, al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn, Abū Bakr al-Hudhalī, and al-Walīd ibn Abān. Those who opposed him and criticized him were Ibn Abī Laylā, Ibn Shubruma, al-Thawrī, Sharīk, and a group who disagreed with him and sought to discredit him. His standing continued to rise and his companions multiplied until his circle was the largest in the mosque and the most ample in answering questions. He was patient with them, provided abundantly for every needy person among them, and gave gifts to every prosperous person. People’s attention turned toward him until governors, judges, and nobles honored him. He met extraordinary expenses, everyone praised him, and he accomplished things that defeated the Arabs. His broad knowledge enabled him, and destiny favored him; those who envied him multiplied. He used to say: A judge is like a swimmer in the sea: how long can he swim, and whom can he satisfy, even if he is learned?

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad narrated to us: ʿAlī ibn al-Madīnī narrated to us: I heard ʿAbd al-Razzāq say: I was with Maʿmar when Ibn al-Mubārak came to him. We heard Maʿmar say: I know no man who discusses jurisprudence, is qualified to reason by analogy and derive jurisprudential rulings, and possesses better knowledge than Abū Ḥanīfa—may God have mercy on him. Nor do I know anyone more fearful for himself about introducing anything doubtful into God’s religion than Abū Ḥanīfa—may God have mercy on him.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad narrated to us: ʿAlī ibn al-Madīnī narrated to us: I heard ʿAbd al-Razzāq say: I was with Maʿmar when Ibn al-Mubārak came to him. We heard Maʿmar say: I know no man who discusses jurisprudence, is qualified to reason by analogy and derive jurisprudential rulings, and possesses better knowledge than Abū Ḥanīfa—may God have mercy on him. Nor do I know anyone more fearful for himself about introducing anything doubtful into God’s religion than Abū Ḥanīfa—may God have mercy on him.

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn Muqātil narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak being asked: When is a man qualified to issue legal rulings, take judicial office, or adjudicate? He said: When he knows hadith, understands legal reasoning, knows Abū Ḥanīfa’s statements, and retains them.

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn Muqātil narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak being asked: When is a man qualified to issue legal rulings, take judicial office, or adjudicate? He said: When he knows hadith, understands legal reasoning, knows Abū Ḥanīfa’s statements, and retains them.

Abū Ḥafṣ informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad narrated to us: Al-Ḥimmānī narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: A man asked Abū Ḥanīfa about a small opening he wanted to make in a wall of his house. He said: Open what you wish, but do not look in on your neighbor. His neighbor took him to Ibn Abī Laylā, who forbade it. He complained to Abū Ḥanīfa, who said: Then make a doorway in it. He came to make the doorway, and the neighbor took him to Ibn Abī Laylā, who forbade him. Abū Ḥanīfa asked: What is your wall worth? He said: Three dinars. He said: I owe you that; go and demolish the wall from end to end. When he came to demolish it, the neighbor stopped him and took him to Ibn Abī Laylā. He said: He is demolishing his own wall, and you ask me to stop him? Go, demolish it, and do what you wish. The man said: Then why did you trouble me and forbid me from making a little opening? That would have been easier for me. He said: If he goes to someone who points out my error, what can I do when the error becomes clear?

Abū Ḥafṣ informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad narrated to us: Al-Ḥimmānī narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: A man asked Abū Ḥanīfa about a small opening he wanted to make in a wall of his house. He said: Open what you wish, but do not look in on your neighbor. His neighbor took him to Ibn Abī Laylā, who forbade it. He complained to Abū Ḥanīfa, who said: Then make a doorway in it. He came to make the doorway, and the neighbor took him to Ibn Abī Laylā, who forbade him. He complained to Abū Ḥanīfa and told him what had happened. Abū Ḥanīfa asked: What is your wall worth? He said: Three dinars. He said: I owe you that; go and demolish the wall from end to end. When he came to demolish it, the neighbor stopped him and took him to Ibn Abī Laylā. He said: He is demolishing his own wall, and you ask me to stop him? Go, demolish it, and do what you wish. The man said: Then why did you trouble me and forbid me from making a little opening? That would have been easier for me. He said: If he goes to someone who points out my error, what can I do when the error becomes clear?

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Al-Jumānī narrated to us: Ibn al-Mubārak narrated to us: I saw Abū Ḥanīfa on the road to Mecca. A fat young camel was roasted for them, and they wished to eat it with vinegar but found nothing to pour the vinegar into. They were perplexed. I saw Abū Ḥanīfa dig a hollow in the sand, spread the dining cloth over it, and pour vinegar into that spot. They ate the roast with vinegar and said: You know how to do everything! He said: Be thankful, for this is something I was inspired to do for you as a favor from God upon you.

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Al-Ḥimmānī narrated to us: Ibn al-Mubārak narrated to us: I saw Abū Ḥanīfa on the road to Mecca. A fat young camel was roasted for them, and they wished to eat it with vinegar but found nothing to pour the vinegar into. They were perplexed. I saw Abū Ḥanīfa dig a hollow in the sand, spread the dining cloth over it, and pour vinegar into that spot. They ate the roast with vinegar and said: You know how to do everything! He said: Be thankful, for this is something I was inspired to do for you as a favor from God upon you.

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Al-Jumānī narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: I said to Sufyān al-Thawrī: Abū ʿAbd Allāh, how far Abū Ḥanīfa keeps from backbiting! I have never heard him backbite an enemy. He said: By God, he is too intelligent to expose his good deeds to something that would destroy them.

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Al-Ḥimmānī narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: I said to Sufyān al-Thawrī: Abū ʿAbd Allāh, how far Abū Ḥanīfa keeps from backbiting! I have never heard him backbite an enemy. He said: By God, he is too intelligent to expose his good deeds to something that would destroy them.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Ibn Mughallis narrated to us: Ibn Muqātil narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: When I hear a man disparage Abū Ḥanīfa, I do not wish to see or sit with him, lest a sign of God’s punishment descend upon him and I be taken swiftly with him. God knows that I do not approve of what is said about him. No one disparages him without Abū Ḥanīfa being better than he. By God, he was scrupulous, guarded his tongue, ate from lawful sources, and possessed, by God, abundant and extensive knowledge.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Ibn Mughallis narrated to us: Ibn Muqātil narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: When I hear a man disparage Abū Ḥanīfa, I do not wish to see or sit with him, lest a sign of God’s punishment descend upon him and I be taken swiftly with him. God knows that I do not approve of what is said about him. No one disparages him without Abū Ḥanīfa being better than he. By God, he was scrupulous, guarded his tongue, ate from lawful sources, and possessed, by God, abundant and extensive knowledge.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Al-Jumānī narrated to us: Ibn al-Mubārak narrated to us: Abū Ḥanīfa wanted to buy an enslaved woman and spent ten years choosing and consulting about which captive group to purchase from.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Al-Ḥimmānī narrated to us: Ibn al-Mubārak narrated to us: Abū Ḥanīfa wanted to buy an enslaved woman and spent twenty years choosing and consulting about which captive group to purchase from.

Abū Ḥafṣ ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: I heard al-Ḥasan ibn Ḥammād say: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak, mentioning Abū Ḥanīfa, say: What can you say about a man offered the world and great wealth who cast them behind his back? He was whipped and told: Take worldly rewards. He remained patient in prosperity and adversity and did not enter what others sought and desired. By God, he was the opposite of those we encountered: they seek the world while it flees them, whereas the world comes to him and he flees it.

Abū Ḥafṣ ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: I heard al-Ḥasan ibn Ḥammād say: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak, mentioning Abū Ḥanīfa, say: What can you say about a man offered the world and great wealth who cast them behind his back? He was whipped and told: Take worldly rewards. He remained patient in prosperity and adversity and did not enter what others sought and desired. By God, he was the opposite of those we encountered: they seek the world while it flees them, whereas the world comes to him and he flees it.

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Shāhid informed us: Makram related: Aḥmad related: Yaḥyā ibn ʿAbd al-Ḥamīd al-Ḥimmānī related: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: I saw al-Ḥasan ibn ʿUmāra holding Abū Ḥanīfa’s stirrup and saying: “By God, we have met nobody who spoke on jurisprudence more eloquently, more patiently, or with a readier answer than you. You are indisputably the master of those speaking on it in your time. They speak against you only out of envy.”

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Shāhid informed us: Makram related: Aḥmad related: Yaḥyā ibn ʿAbd al-Ḥamīd al-Ḥimmānī related: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: I saw al-Ḥasan ibn ʿUmāra holding Abū Ḥanīfa’s stirrup and saying: “By God, we have met nobody who spoke on jurisprudence more eloquently, more patiently, or with a readier answer than you. You are indisputably the master of those speaking on it in your time. They speak against you only out of envy.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reader informed us: Makram related: Aḥmad related: al-Ḥasan ibn al-Rabīʿ related: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: Men are alike in name until trials and afflictions befall people. Abū Ḥanīfa was tried by blows of whips on his head in prison to force upon him judicial authority of the sort people compete and ingratiate themselves for. He praised God and endured humiliation, beating, and imprisonment, seeking safety for his religion.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reader informed us: Makram related: Aḥmad related: al-Ḥasan ibn al-Rabīʿ related: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: Men are alike in name until trials and afflictions befall people. Abū Ḥanīfa was tried by blows of whips on his head in prison to force upon him judicial authority of the sort people compete and ingratiate themselves for. He praised God and endured humiliation, beating, and imprisonment, seeking safety for his religion.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm related to us: Makram related: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related: Muḥammad ibn Muqātil related: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: I asked Abū ʿAbd Allāh Sufyān al-Thawrī: “What do you say about issuing the invitation before warfare?” He replied: “Today the people already know what they are fought over.” I said: “Abū Ḥanīfa says about it what you have heard.” He lowered his head, raised it, looked right and left, and saw nobody. He said: “Abū Ḥanīfa rode in knowledge upon something sharper than a spear-point. By God, he acquired knowledge vigorously, defended sanctities, and followed his town’s scholars. He deemed it lawful to adopt only the reports from the Prophet, peace and blessings upon him, that he regarded as sound. He knew well hadith’s abrogating and abrogated reports, sought reliable narrators’ hadiths and the Prophet’s latest practice, and adopted as his religion what he found Kufa’s general body of scholars following in pursuit of truth. Some people disparaged him, and we remained silent toward them—a thing for which we ask God Most High’s forgiveness. Indeed, we ourselves sometimes uttered a word after another.” I said: “I hope God Most High forgives you that.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm related to us: Makram related: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related: Muḥammad ibn Muqātil related: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: I asked Abū ʿAbd Allāh Sufyān al-Thawrī: “What do you say about issuing the invitation before warfare?” He replied: “Today the people already know what they are fought over.” I said: “Abū Ḥanīfa says about it what you have heard.” He lowered his head, raised it, looked right and left, and saw nobody. He said: “Abū Ḥanīfa rode in knowledge upon something sharper than a spear-point. By God, he acquired knowledge vigorously, defended sanctities, and followed his town’s scholars. He deemed it lawful to adopt only the reports from the Prophet, peace and blessings upon him, that he regarded as sound. He knew well hadith’s abrogating and abrogated reports, sought reliable narrators’ hadiths and the Prophet’s latest practice, and adopted as his religion what he found Kufa’s general body of scholars following in pursuit of truth. Some people disparaged him, and we remained silent toward them—a thing for which we ask God Most High’s forgiveness. Indeed, we ourselves sometimes uttered a word after another.” I said: “I hope God Most High forgives you that.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram related: Ibn Mughallis related: al-Ḥimmānī related: Ibn al-Mubārak related: I was with Mālik ibn Anas when a man entered. He honoured him. After he left, Mālik asked: “Do you know who that was?” They said no, although I recognized him. He said: “That is Abū Ḥanīfa the Iraqi. If he said this pillar was gold, he would establish it as he said. Jurisprudence has been made so accessible to him that it costs him little effort.” Al-Thawrī entered, and he seated him below the place where he had seated Abū Ḥanīfa. When he left, he said: “That is Sufyān,” and spoke of his jurisprudence and scrupulousness.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram related: Ibn Mughallis related: al-Ḥimmānī related: Ibn al-Mubārak related: I was with Mālik ibn Anas when a man entered. He honoured him. After he left, Mālik asked: “Do you know who that was?” They said no, although I recognized him. He said: “That is Abū Ḥanīfa the Iraqi. If he said this pillar was gold, he would establish it as he said. Jurisprudence has been made so accessible to him that it costs him little effort.” Al-Thawrī entered, and he seated him below the place where he had seated Abū Ḥanīfa. When he left, he said: “That is Sufyān,” and spoke of his jurisprudence and scrupulousness.

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Bazzāz informed us: Makram related: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related: al-Ḥimmānī related: Ibn al-Mubārak related: Abū Ḥanīfa was mentioned before Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī. He said: “He is a star guiding the night traveller and knowledge accepted by believers’ hearts. Every knowledge outside his knowledge is an affliction for its bearer. By God, he possesses knowledge of lawful and unlawful and salvation from the Almighty’s punishment, together with inward scrupulousness and constant service.”

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Bazzāz informed us: Makram related: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related: al-Ḥimmānī related: Ibn al-Mubārak related: Abū Ḥanīfa was mentioned before Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī. He said: “He is a star guiding the night traveller and knowledge accepted by believers’ hearts. Every knowledge outside his knowledge is an affliction for its bearer. By God, he possesses knowledge of lawful and unlawful and salvation from the Almighty’s punishment, together with inward scrupulousness and constant service.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reader informed us: Makram related: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Mughallis related: Muḥammad ibn Muqātil related: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: “When the transmitted report is known and legal reasoning is needed, the reasoning is Mālik’s, Sufyān’s, and Abū Ḥanīfa’s. Abū Ḥanīfa is the finest of them, most precise in discernment, and deepest in probing jurisprudence. He is the most learned jurist of the three.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reader informed us: Makram related: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Mughallis related: Muḥammad ibn Muqātil related: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: “When the transmitted report is known and legal reasoning is needed, the reasoning is Mālik’s, Sufyān’s, and Abū Ḥanīfa’s. Abū Ḥanīfa is the finest of them, most precise in discernment, and deepest in probing jurisprudence. He is the most learned jurist of the three.”

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Ibrāhīm al-Bazzāz informed us: Makram related: Aḥmad related: al-Ḥimmānī related: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: “When Sufyān and Abū Ḥanīfa agree upon something, I take them as my proof between myself and God concerning the religious opinions I issue.”

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad ibn Ibrāhīm al-Bazzāz informed us: Makram related: Aḥmad related: al-Ḥimmānī related: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: “When Sufyān and Abū Ḥanīfa agree upon something, I take them as my proof between myself and God concerning the religious opinions I issue.”

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥulwānī informed us: Makram related: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related: Muḥammad ibn Muqātil related: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: “When the transmitted report is known and legal reasoning is needed, the reasoning is Mālik’s, Sufyān’s, and Abū Ḥanīfa’s. Abū Ḥanīfa is the finest of them, most precise in discernment, and deepest in probing jurisprudence. He is the most learned jurist of the three.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reader informed us: Makram related: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Mughallis related: Muḥammad ibn Muqātil related: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: “When the transmitted report is known and legal reasoning is needed, the reasoning is Mālik’s, Sufyān’s, and Abū Ḥanīfa’s. Abū Ḥanīfa is the finest of them, most precise in discernment, and deepest in probing jurisprudence. He is the most learned jurist of the three.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reciter informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn Muqātil narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: I was with al-Awzāʿī, who told me, “Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān, there is a man they speak of in Kufa who is misguided and misguiding, calling people to innovation.” I stayed away from al-Awzāʿī for three days and nights, selected questions from Abū Ḥanīfa’s legal questions, wrote them with their proofs, and brought the book to al-Awzāʿī. I showed it to him after the call to prayer had been given. When he saw me, he gave the commencement call, and we prayed dawn. He asked, “Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān, what is that book?” I said, “A book of legal questions.” Over each question I had written, “Al-Nuʿmān said such and such.” He said, “Bring it,” and read it through. He asked, “Who is this al-Nuʿmān who gives these fine answers?” I replied, “Abū Ḥanīfa, whom you warned me against.” He said, “It is forbidden for me to warn you against someone from whom you learn such things. Stay with him and learn much from him, for this man speaks well in matters of learning.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reciter informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn Muqātil narrated to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: I was with al-Awzāʿī, who told me, “Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān, there is a man they speak of in Kufa who is misguided and misguiding, calling people to innovation.” I stayed away from al-Awzāʿī for three days and nights, selected questions from Abū Ḥanīfa’s legal questions, wrote them with their proofs, and brought the book to al-Awzāʿī. I showed it to him after the call to prayer had been given. When he saw me, he gave the commencement call, and we prayed dawn. He asked, “Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān, what is that book?” I said, “A book of legal questions.” Over each question I had written, “Al-Nuʿmān said such and such.” He said, “Bring it,” and read it through. He asked, “Who is this al-Nuʿmān who gives these fine answers?” I replied, “Abū Ḥanīfa, whom you warned me against.” He said, “It is forbidden for me to warn you against someone from whom you learn such things. Stay with him and learn much from him, for this man speaks well in matters of learning.”

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Bazzāz informed us: Makram related to us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us: Yaḥyā al-Ḥimmānī related to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: When Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī recited the Qurʾan, it was as though he heard God’s answer.

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Bazzāz informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us: Yaḥyā al-Ḥimmānī related to us: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say: When Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī recited the Qurʾan, it was as though he heard God’s answer.

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad the accredited witness informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us: Al-Ḥimmānī related to us: Ibn al-Mubārak related to us: When Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī died, people spoke much about him, and he deserved every beautiful praise. Abū Bakr al-Nahshalī stood at his grave and said, “Dāwūd, people have said much about you: may God not leave you to your own deeds.”

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad the accredited witness informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad related to us: Al-Ḥimmānī related to us: Ibn al-Mubārak related to us: When Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī died, people spoke much about him, and he deserved every beautiful praise. Abū Bakr al-Nahshalī stood at his grave and said, “Dāwūd, people have said much about you: may God not leave you to your own deeds.”

Al-ʿAbbās ibn Aḥmad ibn al-Faḍl al-Hāshimī informed us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn al-Fatḥ al-Manṣūrī narrated to us: Ibn Kaʾs narrated to us: Sulaymān ibn al-Rabīʿ narrated to us: Ḥāmid ibn Ādam narrated to us: I heard ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak say, “I never felt more humbled in any gathering than in the gathering of Abū Ḥanīfa.”

Al-ʿAbbās ibn Aḥmad ibn al-Faḍl al-Hāshimī informed us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn al-Faḍl al-Manṣūrī narrated to us: Ibn Kaʾs narrated to us: Sulaymān ibn al-Rabīʿ narrated to us: Ḥāmid ibn Ādam narrated to us: I heard ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak say, “I never felt more humbled in any gathering than in the gathering of Abū Ḥanīfa.”

Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥarīrī informed us: ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad narrated to us: the judge al-Nakhaʿī narrated to us: Sulaymān ibn al-Rabīʿ narrated to us: Ḥāmid ibn Ādam narrated to us, from ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak, who said, “When Abū Ḥanīfa and Sufyān agree on something, who can speak against them?”

Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad informed us: ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥarīrī narrated to us: the judge al-Nakhaʿī narrated to us: Sulaymān ibn al-Rabīʿ narrated to us: Ḥāmid ibn Ādam narrated to us, from ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak, who said, “When Abū Ḥanīfa and Sufyān agree on something, who can speak against them?”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reciter informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn Muqātil narrated to us: Ibn al-Mubārak narrated to us, saying: “I met a thousand scholars, but never saw anyone equal in intellect to these three.” I asked, “Who?” He replied, “Ibn ʿAwn, the scrupulous, ascetic scholar; Abū Ḥanīfa; and Sufyān al-Thawrī.” I asked, “Abū Ḥanīfa is among these?” He replied, “Fie, fie, fie on you! Had I not met Abū Ḥanīfa, I would have been among the petty coin dealers who sell copper coins in Baghdad; and had I not met Abū Ḥanīfa, I would have been among the innovators.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reciter informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn Muqātil narrated to us: Ibn al-Mubārak narrated to us, saying: “I met a thousand scholars, but never saw anyone equal in intellect to these three.” I asked, “Who?” He replied, “Ibn ʿAwn, the scrupulous, ascetic scholar; Abū Ḥanīfa; and Sufyān al-Thawrī.” I asked, “Abū Ḥanīfa is among these?” He replied, “Fie, fie, fie on you! Had I not met Abū Ḥanīfa, I would have been among the petty coin dealers who sell copper coins in Baghdad; and had I not met Abū Ḥanīfa, I would have been among the innovators.”

ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥasan al-Rāzī narrated to us: Abū ʿAbd Allāh Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Zaʿfarānī narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Abī Khaythama narrated to us: Saʿīd ibn Qudayd, who shared a shop with my father and Yaḥyā ibn Maʿīn, narrated to us: I heard ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥasan ibn Shaqīq say: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say, “The beginning of knowledge is intention, then listening, then understanding, then acting upon it, then memorization, then dissemination.”

ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥasan al-Rāzī narrated to us: Abū ʿAbd Allāh Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Zaʿfarānī narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Abī Khaythama narrated to us: Saʿīd ibn Qudayd, who shared a shop with my father and Yaḥyā ibn Maʿīn, narrated to us: I heard ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥasan ibn Shaqīq say: I heard Ibn al-Mubārak say, “The beginning of knowledge is intention, then listening, then understanding, then acting upon it, then memorization, then dissemination.”

ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥasan narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥusayn narrated to us: Ibn Abī Khaythama narrated to us: I heard my father say: Shuʿba asked me, “Have you known Ibn al-Mubārak?” I replied, “Yes.” He said, “No one like him has come to us from his region.”

ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥasan narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥusayn narrated to us: Ibn Abī Khaythama narrated to us: I heard my father say: Shuʿba asked me, “Have you known Ibn al-Mubārak?” I replied, “Yes.” He said, “No one like him has come to us from his region.”