What will you say about the man to whom they offered the...

What will you say about the man to whom they offered the world and its wealth and he kicked it away, who was flogged and remained steadfast, and who never accepted those posts and honours which people hankered after.” Justice ibn Shubrumah said, “The world followed him but he would have none of it.

As for us, the world would have none of us and we run after it.”[^13] According to Hassan bin Ziyad, Abu Hanifah never accepted a gift or favour from the rich.[^14] He was also very generous, never sparing in spending, particularly on the learned and the scholarly. A part of his profits was ear-marked for them and expended throughout the year, and whatever of it was left over was distributed among them.

Extending them such help he would say, “Be pleased to spend it on your needs, and thank none but God for it. I do not give you anything of mine for it is a bounty from God. He has given it to me for your sake.”[^15] A…