Ibn Mahdī said: I heard Mālik relate, “One day al-Zuhrī narrated a ḥadith. When he rose to leave, I rose as well, took hold of the reins of his mount, and asked him to clarify it. He said, ‘You want me to clarify it? I have never asked a scholar for clarification, nor have I ever disputed anything a scholar narrated.’

Ibn al-Madīnī recounted: I heard ʿAbd al-Raḥmān say that Mālik said, ‘Al-Zuhrī once narrated a lengthy ḥadith, but I failed to retain it. I asked him about it and he said, “Did I not just relate it to you?” We replied, “Indeed.” I asked, “Were you writing it down?” He said, “No.” I asked, “Did you at least rehearse it?” He said, “No.” ’

Imām Aḥmad transmitted this report from ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Mahdī, and Ibn Wahb corroborated it.

ʿUthmān al-Dārimī said: Mūsā ibn Muḥammad al-Balqāwī told us, “I heard Mālik say, ‘Al-Zuhrī narrated one hundred ḥadiths. Then he turned to me and asked, “How many have you retained, Mālik?” I answered, “Forty.” He placed his hand on his forehead and exclaimed, ‘Innâ li-llāh! (We belong to Allah!) How memory has declined.’ ” (Mūsā is weak.)

Maʿmar reported from al-Zuhrī: ‘Never have I said to anyone, “Repeat that for me.” ’

Marwān ibn Muḥammad heard al-Layth say, “One night, after the evening (ʿishāʾ) prayer, Ibn Shihāb suddenly remembered a ḥadith while sitting to perform wuḍūʾ (ablution). He remained seated in that very spot until daybreak.”

Abū Mushir reported: Yazīd ibn al-Simṭ related to us, ‘I heard Qurrah ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān say, “Al-Zuhrī possessed no book save one recording the genealogy of his clan.” ’

Ibrāhīm ibn Saʿd said: I heard Ibn Shihāb say, ‘Hishām sent me a message: “Write down some of your ḥadiths for my sons.” I replied, “If you were to ask me about two ḥadiths in succession, I could not narrate them back-to-back; but if you wish, summon a scribe. When people gather around me and put their questions, I will dictate for them.” He said, “Abū Bakr, it seems we are inconveniencing you.” I replied, “Not at all; I was merely on the open upland—now I have descended into the valleys.” ’

Nūḥ ibn Yazīd transmitted this from Ibrāhīm, adding, “He sent two scribes to me, and they continued to come to me for a full year.”