Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) was a mountain of forbearance and tolerance. He maintained his composure in every situation and always conducted in accordance to the sunnah.

Below are some of the observations and testimonies of the contemporaries of Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) in regard to his high level of tolerance and forbearance:

Yazeed bin Haaroon (rahimahullah) once praised Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) mentioning, “I never saw a person with more tolerance and forbearance than Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah).”

Yazeed bin Kummait (rahimahullah) reports the following incident:

I once observed Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) when a certain person came to him and began to insult him. The person called Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) a ‘zindeeq’ (one who is deviated). Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) remained calm and composed and gently said to the person, “May Allah Ta‘ala forgive you for what you have said. Allah Ta‘ala knows that what you have said, regarding me, is false and untrue.”

(‘Uqood-ul-Jummaan pg. 270)