Ḥafṣ ibn ʿAmr al-Qārī

Ismāʿīl ibn Bishr related to us: Ḥafṣ ibn ʿAmr al-Qārī related to us: Salm ibn Sālim related to us: al-Mufaḍḍal al-Kūfī related to me: We attended a man’s marriage contract ceremony in Kufa. Sufyān al-Thawrī, Sharīk, and others were also present. When they had waited a long time, they asked the host, ‘Who remains?’ He said, ‘We are waiting for Abū Ḥanīfa; we have sent for him.’ They waited. When the gathering had gone on a long time, Sufyān asked the host, ‘Has Abū Ḥanīfa still not come?’ He said, ‘No,’ feeling embarrassed before them, and said, ‘Abū ʿAbd Allāh, deliver the address.’ Sufyān said to Sharīk, ‘You deliver it.’ Sharīk said to Sufyān, ‘You deliver it; you have greater claim.’ While this was happening, Abū Ḥanīfa—may God have mercy on him—arrived. Sufyān said, ‘The one who will suffice us has come.’ When Abū Ḥanīfa—may God have mercy on him—sat down, the host said, ‘Deliver the address, Abū Ḥanīfa.’ Abū Ḥanīfa praised and extolled God, then said, ‘To proceed: speech is plentiful, but its sound substance is little. Speech does not end until one puts an end to it. The best speech is that intended for God Most High’s countenance, and the worst is that directed to other than God.’ Then he concluded the marriage contract. Sufyān said to Sharīk, ‘The matter is as you see.’