Ummati Islamic Website
Abul ‘Awaam رحمه الله narrates that: My father narrated to me, who said: My father narrated to me, who said: Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Hammad narrated to me, who said: Muhammad ibn al-Mubarak narrated to us, who said: Al-Hasan ibn Isma’il ibn Mujalid said:
I heard my father say:
“I was with Ameerul Mu’mineen, Harun al-Rashid, when Abu Yusuf رحمه الله entered.
Harun said to him:
‘O Abu Yusuf, describe to us the character of Abu Hanifah.’
Imaam Abu Yusuf replied:
‘O Ameerul Mu’mineen, Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, says:
مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌۭ
“Not a word does a person utter except that with him is an observer, ready to record.”
(Qur’an 50:18)
Allah Ta’alaa is before the tongue of every speaker. (Imaam Abu Yusuf teaches us that whenever we asked a question, we should not lie or exaggerate matters even if it be our closest. This verse teaches us to become aware of every word that we utter and this is done by adopting Taqwa)
He continues in his response to Harun Rashid,
By Allah, as far as I knew him, Abu Hanifah was extremely careful to defend the sanctities of Allah and to prevent any violation of His prohibitions. He kept away from the people of this world and their worldly pursuits. He was one who remained silent for long periods and was constantly engaged in reflection. He was neither a chatterbox nor someone who spoke excessively. Whenever he was asked about an issue on which he possessed knowledge, he answered according to what he had heard (from the transmitted sources), or according to what became clear to him through analogy (qiyās) with something similar, and he would give that ruling.
O Ameerul Mu’mineen, I knew him only as a man who guarded himself and his religion, occupied himself with his own affairs rather than those of others, and never mentioned anyone except with goodness.’
Upon hearing this, Harun al-Rashid said:
‘These are the qualities of the Saaliheen (righteous).’
Reference: pg 47, Sifatu Akhlaaqi Abi Hanifah in the book Fadhaailu Abi Hanifah wa Akhbaaruhu wa Manaaqibuhu by Abul Qaasim Abdullah bin Muhammed more commonly known as Abul Awwaam As-Sa’di.