Reference: Lawaa.ihul-Anwaar – Volume 2, Page 355
as-Saffaareenee (rahima-hullaah) said:
And we are not focusing on mentioning the virtues of the Ahlul-Hadeeth, for indeed their virtues are well known and their merits are many. So whoever belittles them, then he is despicable and lowly. And whoever hates them, then he is from the backward party of the Devil.