Aḥmad ibn Abī Ṣāliḥ related to us: Jaʿfar ibn Aḥmad al-Baṣrī, Abū Hurayra al-Ṣayrafī, related to us: ʿUbayd Allāh ibn Muḥammad ibn ʿĀʾisha related to us: al-Haytham ibn ʿAdī related to us: I said to Abū Ḥanīfa—may God have mercy on him—‘The sciences are many and have different branches. How did you choose the branch you pursue, and how were you granted success in it, when no science is nobler?’ He said: ‘I will tell you. Success came from God, Mighty and Majestic; to Him belongs praise as befits Him and as He deserves. When I wished to acquire knowledge, I set all the sciences before me. I studied their branches [one by one] and considered each one’s outcome and where its benefit lay. I said, “I will take up speculative theology.” Then I looked and found that its outcome was bad and its benefit small. When someone becomes accomplished in it and is needed, he cannot speak openly; he is accused of every evil and called a man of whims. Then I examined literary studies and grammar. Their outcome was that I would sit with a boy teaching him grammar and literature. Then I examined poetry, and found its outcome to be praise and satire, foul speech, lies, and the tearing apart of religion. Then I considered Qurʾānic recitations and said, “If I reach their pinnacle, youths will gather around me to recite to me, while speaking about the Qurʾān and its meanings is difficult.” I said, “I will seek hadith.” Then I said, “If I collect a great deal of it, I will need a long life before people need me. When I am needed, only youths will gather around me. They may accuse me of lying and poor memory, and that will cling to me until the Day of Judgment.” Then I said, “Jurisprudence.” Whichever way I examined or turned it over, it only increased in dignity. I found no fault in it. First, I saw that one would sit with scholars, jurists, shaykhs, and people of insight, and adopt their character. I saw that proper performance of obligatory duties, upholding religion, and worship depend on knowing it, and that seeking this world and the Hereafter depends on it. So I devoted myself to it.’