Once, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه reached the gathering of Imam e A’zam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه. He liked his teachings so much that he left the launderer and joined the gathering of Imam-e-A’zam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه. Whenever his mother would find out about it, she would take him away from there and leave him again with the launderer.

When this matter went to the next level, then his mother said to Imam-e-A’zam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه: ‘There is no one to look after this child. I sent him to the launderer so that he may earn and bring something back. But you have spoiled him.’

Sayyiduna Imam-e-A’zam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه said to her: ‘O fortunate woman! Let him acquire the wealth of knowledge. The day is not far when he will enjoy eating lavish food’.

Listening to it, the mother of Sayyiduna Imam Abu Yusuf رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه became very angry. She said: ‘(You are making fun of us). How can poor people like us eat lavish food?’  

However, Sayyiduna Imam Abu Yusuf رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه persistently kept acquiring the knowledge of Deen; to the extent that a time came when he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was appointed at the rank of Qadi (Judge).

Once, the Caliph invited him. The Caliph put lavish food forward to him and said: ‘O Imam! Please eat this lavish food. It is not easy for us to prepare         such lavish food every day.’ Listening to it made Sayyiduna Imam Abu Yusuf رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه remember what Imam-e-A’zam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه said and he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه smiled. When the Caliph asked him the reason for it, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه replied: ‘My honourable teacher, Imam-e-A’zam Abu Hanifah رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه, said to my mother years ago that your son will eat lavish food. Today, this saying of my beloved teacher has become true.’ Then, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه relayed his whole story of the childhood to the Caliph. The Caliph was astonished to listen to it and said: ‘Indeed, knowledge does benefit and elevates one in this world and in the Hereafter. (‘Uyoon-ul-Hikayaat, pp. 278)

صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد                      صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب