Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 28208 — Good praise, and praising one who has

Al-Awwam bin Hawshab said: Iyas bin Mu'awiyah and I met at a place called Dhat Irq, and we mentioned Ibrahim al-Taymi. Iyas said: "Were it not for the honour he holds in my heart, I would certainly praise him." I asked: "Do you know him?" He said: "Yes." I asked: "Then why do you dislike praising him?" He said: "Because it used to be said that praising is equivalent to giving payment."