From him it is also related: “Whoever lends his ear to a man of innovation, fully aware of what he is doing, steps outside Allah’s protection and is left to fend for himself.”

And he said: “If a person hears of an innovation, he must not recount it to those who sit with him, lest he cast it into their hearts.”

I say: Most of the leading scholars of the early generations issued the same warning, for they regarded hearts as fragile and doubts as quick to seize them.

Muhammad ibn Muslim al-Ta’ifi said, “When you meet an Iraqi, seek refuge in Allah from his evil; but when you see Sufyan, ask Allah for Paradise.”

Al-Asmaʿi reported that al-Thawri instructed that his books be buried, for he regretted some of what he had written from certain people.

ʿAbd Allah ibn Khubayq narrated: Al-Haytham ibn Jamil told us, from Mufaddal ibn Muhalhil, who said:

“I performed the pilgrimage with Sufyan. When we reached Mecca we met al-Awzaʿi, and we gathered in a house. ʿAbd al-Ṣamad ibn ʿAli was the governor in charge of that season. Someone knocked at the door.

‘Who is it?’ we asked.

‘The governor,’ he replied.

Sufyan rose and entered the privy, while al-Awzaʿi stood to receive him. The governor said to him, ‘Who are you, old man?’

‘I am al-Awzaʿi,’ he replied.

‘May Allah greet you with peace. Your letters used to reach us and we would take care of your needs. Where is Sufyan?’

I said, ‘He has gone into the privy.’

Al-Awzaʿi followed after him and said, ‘The only reason this man has come is to see you.’

Sufyan came out frowning and said, ‘Peace be upon you—how are you?’

ʿAbd al-Ṣamad said, ‘I have come to write down these rites of pilgrimage from you.’

Sufyan replied, ‘First let me guide you to something more beneficial for you than that.’

‘And what is that?’ he asked.

‘Give up the position you hold,’ said Sufyan.

‘But what am I to do about the Commander of the Believers?’ he asked.

Sufyan answered, ‘If you truly wish it, Allah will spare you from Abu Jaʿfar.’

Al-Awzaʿi said to him, ‘Abu ʿAbd Allah, these people will not be satisfied with you unless you magnify them.’

Sufyan replied, ‘Abu ʿAmr, we cannot strike them; we discipline them with what you have just seen.’

Mufaddal said: Al-Awzaʿi then turned toward me,