Abdullaah Ibn Bishr (rahimahullaah) said: I heard Sufyaan (rahimahullaah) saying, ‘’Indeed (the knowledge) of hadeeth is an honour; so whoever desires the worldly life by way of it, then (for him) is the worldly life. And whoever desires the afterlife by way of it, then (for him) is the afterlife. [Hilyatul Awliyaa:6/366]
Abu Abdillaah Al-Haakim (rahimahullaah) said: Shubah (rahimahullaah) is an Imaam of the Imaams of hadeeth at Basra (i.e. in his era) with regards to knowledge of hadeeth. He saw Anas Ibn Maalik (radiyallaahu-anhu) and Amr Bin Salama Al-Jarmiy. He heard (hadeeth and received knowledge) from four hundred Sheikhs amongst the Taabieen. [Siyar A’laam An-Nubulaa:7/26]
Eesaa Ibn Yoonus (rahimahullaah) said: ”We have neither seen the likes of Al-Amash in our time nor amongst the generation before us. We have never seen the wealthy and the rulers being more lowly in a gathering than a gathering of Al-Amash, even though he was in need of Dirham (i.e. money) [Hilyatul Awliyaa: 5/47-48]
It was reported from Al-Hasan Al-Basri (rahimahullaah) who said: ”Ayyoub is the leader of the youth of Basra.” [Hilyatul Awliyaa: 3/3]
When Ayyoub (rahimahullaah) used to narrate a hadeeth to Ibn Seereen (rahimahullaah), he (Ibn Seereen) would say: ”The truthful one has narrated to me.” [Hilyatul Awliyaa: 3/4]
Ibn Shawzab (rahimahullaah) said: When Ayyoub (rahimahullaah) used to be asked a question and he had nothing about it, he would say: ”Ask the people of knowledge.” [Tabaqaat Ibn Sad: 7/247]
Ayyoub (rahimahullaah) said:
Al-Hasan (rahimahullaah) used to speak with a speech as if it was a stream. And a people after him spoke with a speech from their mouths as if it was vomit. [Siyar A’laam Nubulaa: 4/577]
Ibn Shihaab (rahimahullaah) said:
”Had you seen Taawoos (rahimahullaah), you will know that he does not lie.” [Siyar A’laam Nubulaa:5/43]
Maalik Ibn Maghool (rahimahullaah) said: It was said to Shabee: ‘’O scholar’’; so he said: ‘’The scholar is one who fears Allaah.’’ [Hilyatul Awliyaa: 4/311]
Abee Ishaaq (rahimahullaah) narrated from Shabee who said: No one abandons something of the worldly life except that Allaah will give him what is better for him in the hereafter.’’ [Hilyatul Awliyaa: 4/312]
Hishaam Bin Hassaan (rahimahullaah) said: A family member of Ibn Seereen (rahimahullaah) said to me, ”I have never seen Ibn Seereen speak to his mother, except that he was humble.” [Hilyatul Awliyaa: 2/273]
Abdul Hameed Bin Abdillaah Ibn Muslim Ibn Yasaar (rahimahullaah) said: When Ibn Seereen (rahimahullaah) was confined in prison, the prisoners said to him: Go to your family when night falls and come back when morning arrives. So Ibn Seereen said: By Allaah, no. I will not help you in deceiving the ruler. [Taareekh Baghdaad: [6/334]
Layth Ibn Sad (rahimahullaah) said: If I saw a man of innovation walking upon water, I (still) would not accept from him. So Shaafi’ee (rahimahullaah) said: Indeed, he (layth) has fallen short (in his statement); if I saw him (i.e. a man of innovation) walking in the air, I (still) would not accept from him. [Talbees Iblees of Ibn Jawzee: page: 20]