Mūsā ibn Abī Ḥātim al-Firyābī related to us: Bishr ibn al-Walīd related to us: Qays ibn al-Rabīʿ said: I was with Abū Ḥanīfa—may God be pleased with him—when a man came and sat down, dejected and sad. He said, ‘Abū Ḥanīfa, thieves entered my house at night and carried off whatever property they could. I recognized one of them because he is one of [the people of] my neighborhood and prays in my mosque. When this thief realized I recognized him, he seized and bound me. He made me swear by divorce, emancipation, and giving everything I own to the poor in charity that I would not mention his name, tell anyone about him, or gesture with my hand or head. I fear that if I do any of this I will break my oaths. For God’s sake, help me in my affair, Abū Ḥanīfa!’ Abū Ḥanīfa said, ‘Go and send me a man you trust.’ The man left and sent his brother. Abū Ḥanīfa told his brother, ‘Go to the ruler, relate your brother’s story and what happened to him, and ask the ruler to send one of his officers. Tell him to assemble everyone who prays in the mosque where your brother prays, leaving no one out. Tell the officer to bring them out of the mosque one by one and ask your brother of each man, “Is this him?” He should say no. When the thief comes, he should remain silent: neither speak, nod, nor gesture. The officer should then seize him and take him to the ruler.’ His brother went and did as Abū Ḥanīfa instructed. The thief was identified, seized, and taken to the ruler. He pointed out those who had been with him. The stolen property was recovered from them and returned to its owner, and all the thieves were imprisoned.