Adab (Respect) in the lives of the Tabi’een

Once, someone asked Imaam Abu Hanifah (Rahmatullahi Alayh) as to who was greater between Aswad and ‘Alqamah, both students of Ibn Mas’ood (Radiyallahu Anhu). Imaam Abu Hanifah (Rahmatullahi Alayh) answered saying: “The status of Aswad and ‘Alqamah are so lofty, that I am not even worthy of taking their names. How do you expect me to pass judgment between the both?”