I replied to Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah), “He regards this amount of ten thousand dirhams to be a large and significant amount. If you want to avoid accepting his gift, then when you are summoned to collect the money, say to those giving you the money, ‘This amount is not what I hoped to receive from Ameer-ul-Mu’mineen (i.e. I expected to receive a larger amount than this.) In this way, he will be forced to take the amount back.’”

When the message was conveyed to Mansoor that Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) had responded in this manner, Mansoor immediately took back the money and did not present another gift to Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah). In this manner, Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) safeguarded his deen.

(Tabyeedh-us-Saheefah pg. 119)