817 - Muhammad ibn Ja'far informed me that Abu al-Harith narrated to them, saying: I asked Abu 'Abd Allah, saying: 'These hadiths that are narrated regarding the companions of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace—do you consider it permissible for anyone to write them down?' He said: 'I do not consider it permissible for anyone to write down anything from them.' I said: 'What if we see a man seeking them and asking about them, for they contain mention of 'Uthman, 'Ali, Mu'awiyah, and others among the companions of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?' He said: 'If you see a man seeking these and collecting them, I fear that he may harbor some inner evil.'

818 - Musa ibn Hamdun informed me, saying: Hanbal told us, saying: I heard Abu 'Abd Allah saying: 'Sallam ibn Abi Muti' took the book of Abu 'Awanah, which contained mentions of the companions of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and he burned those hadiths of al-A'mash.'