Abu Hatim al-Razi said, “Reliable, trustworthy, devout—one of the finest servants of Allah.” (1)

Ahmad ibn Hanbal mentioned him, remarking, “He enjoyed a firm standing with Shuʿbah; he was one of the six whose transmission Shuʿbah regarded as precise.” (2)

Abu Bakr al-Aʿyan related: “I went to Adam of Ascalon and told him, ‘ʿAbd Allah ibn Salih, the scribe of al-Layth, sends you greetings.’ He replied, ‘Do not convey my greetings to him.’ I asked, ‘Why not?’ He said, ‘Because he has declared that the Quran is created.’

“I then explained his excuse—that he had shown remorse and publicly announced his retraction. He responded, ‘In that case, convey my greetings to him. And when you see Ahmad ibn Hanbal, convey my greetings to him as well and say: “O man, fear Allah and draw near to Him through the stance you have taken. Let no one unsettle you, for—God willing—you are standing at the very threshold of Paradise.”

“‘And say to him: “Al-Layth narrated to us—from Ibn ʿAjlan, from Abu al-Zinad, from al-Aʿraj, from Abu Hurayrah—who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, ‘Whoever commands you to disobey Allah, do not obey him.’”’

“I delivered that message to Abu ʿAbd Allah, and he said, ‘May Allah have mercy on him in life and after death; he has indeed given excellent counsel.’ (3)

Abu Hatim also said: “I was with Adam ibn Abi Iyas when a man asked him, ‘I heard Ahmad ibn Hanbal being questioned about Shuʿbah: did he dictate to them in Baghdad, or did he read to them?’ He replied, ‘He used to read out, and four of us would write—Adam and ʿAli al-Nasaʾi….’ Adam then added, ‘Ahmad has spoken the truth. I was quick with the pen and used to write, and the people would copy from me,’”