Imaam Shaafi’ (Rahmatullahi alaih) said: “I came to Imaam Maalik and I had already memorized the Ahadeeth of Muwatta. I said to Imaam Maalik: ‘I wish to listen to the Muwatta from you.’ Imaam Maalik replied: ‘Look for someone who can read it in front of me.’ I said: ‘Give me permission to read.’ Imaam Maalik replied: ‘No (lest you are unable to read), call someone else.’ Again I requested to read. He then said: ‘All right, start reading.’ I started reading until I completed the entire Muwatta.”
