ʿAbdullah (bin Masʿud) said, "None has more sense of ghaira than Allah therefore - He prohibits shameful sins (illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly. And none loves to be praised more than Allah does, and for this reason He praises Himself." I asked Abu Wali, "Did you hear it from ʿAbdullah?" He said, "Yes," I said, "Did ʿAbdullah ascribe it to Messenger of Allah ﷺ?" He said, "Yes."

لاَ أَحَدَ أَغْيَرُ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَلِذَلِكَ حَرَّمَ الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ وَلاَ شَىْءَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ الْمَدْحُ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِذَلِكَ مَدَحَ نَفْسَهُ قُلْتُ سَمِعْتَهُ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَرَفَعَهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ