soldiers to bring him to the royal floor after holding the rein of his horse without dismounting, with great respect and reverence. The soldiers did the same. The caliph humbly asked: What can I do for you? He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه replied: One of my neighbours, who is a cobbler, was arrested by the soldiers last night. Issue an order to release him. The caliph issued the order to release the cobbler immediately and to release all the prisoners who were arrested that day [today]. Therefore, all of them were released.

Sayyiduna Imam-e-A’zam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه then mounted his ride and left. The neighbour started following him so Sayyiduna Imam-e-A’zam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه asked him: O young man! Did I cause any trouble to you? He humbly replied: No, but rather you have helped me and made intercession on my behalf. May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ bestow better reward upon you for this act because you have taken care of the respect of your neighbour and fulfilled his right. Thereafter that person repented of his sins and refrained from sins.

(Manaqib Imam-ul-A’zam pp. 224, 225; summarized)

خیر خواہ ہم بھی پڑوسی کے بنیں        یہ کرم یا مصطَفٰے فرمایئے

نعمتِ اَخلاق کر دیجئے عطا              یہ کرم یا مصطَفٰے فرمایئے

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب              صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! Have your heard! Sayyiduna Imam-e-A’zam Abu Hanifah رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه would treat his neighbours very well. Despite knowing the fact that his neighbour troubled him till late night after being intoxicated with wine and disturbed his worship, he [a great Imam of his time] did not take revenge and nor did he mistreat him but rather [may I be sacrificed for him] remained patient  on this troublesome act and kept forgiving him. When he was arrested he was in a position to lodge a complaint against him to the caliph so that he could be punished, but he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه did not do so, rather fulfilling the right of being his neighbour, he went to the caliph and made a permissible intercession on his behalf to get him released. This good