“By Allah! He was very firm in preventing people from that which is haraam. He would remain distant from the people of the dunya and would remain silent for lengthy periods of time. He was perpetually in a state of concern (for the Aakhirah and the welfare of the Ummah) and would not speak excessively. If he was asked regarding any mas’alah of which he had knowledge, he would answer it. O Ameer-ul-Mu’mineen! For as long as I knew him, he was always concerned about safeguarding himself and his Deen, and he was always too occupied with his own affairs to worry about the affairs of people. If he spoke of anyone, he would only mention good regarding that person.”

Hearing this description, Haroon Rasheed remarked, “This is indeed the character of the pious servants of Allah Ta‘ala!”

(Manaaqib Imaam Abi Hanifah wa-Saahibayhi liz-Zahabi pg. 9-10)