Ibn Abi Uwais (rahimahullah) mentions that he heard Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) say, “This knowledge is (your) Deen. Therefore, be cautious regarding those from whom you take your Deen. I found seventy people narrating the Ahaadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) at these pillars of the musjid.” Saying this, Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) gestured towards the pillars of Musjid Nabawi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) continued, “However, I did not narrate any Hadith from them, even though each of them was such that if he had to be entrusted with the Bayt-ul-Maal (public treasury), he would be completely honest and trustworthy. The reason that I did not narrate Hadith from them is that they were not sufficiently qualified in the field of Hadith.”