Imam Abu Hanifa

Imam Abu Hanifa

Introduction

Imam Abu Hanifa, also known as Al-Numan bin Thabit, was a very important person in Islamic law. He created some of the schools or ways that people follow the rules of Islam. He is commonly referred to as The Grand Imam (Al-Imam al-Azam) and The Lamp of the Imams (Siraj Al-Aimma) due to his respect.

The Imam Abu Hanifa's Parents

Abu Hanifa, also known as Al-Imam al-Azam, was born with the name Numan. According to the book Qamoos al-Alam, his father's name was Thabit, and his grandfather was also named Numan. He belonged to the Ahl-as-Sunnah Wal Jama'ah and was the fourth great Imam. The term "Imam" signifies a deeply learned scholar. Abu Hanifa was one of the main pillars of the Islamic faith in Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam).

His Background and History

Imam Abu Hanifa

Abu Hu al-Numan anifa Thabit Bin Zuta Marzuban, a native of Iraq, lived in 80 AH (699 AD). He was the son of a Persian father, Thabit Ibn Zauta Al Farisi, although there is conflicting information on his ancestry. It is known for sure that he was a well-known Persian trader rather than Arabic. At the time of his birth, Abdul Malik bin Marwan, the fifth Umayyad Banu monarch, ruled over the Islamic authority.

Several sources suggest that the name "Abu Hanifa" was given to him because he was a devout follower of Islam, committed to worshiping Allah and honoring his religious duties. The Arabic word "Hanif" means "inclined or inclined" to the true religion.

His Early Life

Although the father's name is not explicitly stated in the documents, it is highly likely that he was a successful businessman and a devoted Muslim. According to several traditions, when Ali Ibn Abi Talib (R.A.) was a young man, his father was his confidant. To celebrate Nawruz, which is the Persian New Year, Ali's grandfather, who was also an Imam, presented him with an amount of faludhaj, a delicious Persian delicacy. The fact that Ali's family could afford to purchase sweets from him is a clear indication that they were prosperous. Ali was able to afford and enjoy the luxury treats that only the wealthy could afford.

Abu Hanifa was born and raised in Kufa, where he received his education. Apart from occasional religious pilgrimages, he spent most of his life in the city. With his father's help, he learned to memorize the Quran. Abu Hanifa started as a scholar, then became a trader, and later a student. Finally, he became a teacher and expert in Islamic Jurisprudence (fiqh). Imam Abu Hanifa worked in his family's silk cloth trade and gained a reputation for honesty and justice. Many accounts of his career as a merchant describe his innate virtue, kind heart, genuine temperament, and friendly demeanor before he even learned the law (fiqh).

One of Abu Hanifa's tales recounts the time he and his colleague, Hafs Ibn Abdur-Rahman, traveled to a distant market to sell fabric. Abu Hanifa noticed a flaw in the fabric and instructed Hafs to price it accordingly and inform the customer about the defect after the sale. Hafs sold the fabric, but the buyer failed to disclose the defect. Additionally, Hafs needed help remembering who the buyer was. As a result, Abu Hanifa decided to donate the entire transaction of 30000 dirhams, which included the original price and profit, to the less fortunate. It was his way of making amends for the unfair transaction.

Imam Abu Hanifa Children

It is still unknown how many children the Imam had. However, it is a known fact that he had a son, Hammad, who was an exceptional scholar. The Imam gave him personalized attention during his early education.

Hammad was an ethical and deserving son of his father, possessing knowledge, purity, and detachment from worldly affairs. The Imam passed away in Dhi-Qa'dah 176, leaving behind four sons: Omar, Ismail, Abu Hayyan, and Uthamn. Ismail, the grandson of Imam Abu Hanifa.

Abu Hanifa and the Caliphs (Khalifas)

Imam Abu Hanifa

Abu Hanifa became more popular with the general public as his knowledge grew, earning a reputation for his fairness and sense of humor. The Khalifas, who were the most significant religious and political leaders in Islam, eventually became aware of him.

However, his relationship with the Khalifas was often tense and, at times, even antagonistic due to their lavish lifestyle and the distance they kept from common people. Despite this, Abu Hanifa was offered several positions, including by Khalifa Marwan bin Muhammad, the governor of the province of Iraq, and Umar Hubayra al Fazar, the chief judge (Qadhi).

In the year 763, Abu Jafar Abdullah ibn Mohammad Al-Mansur, the ruler and Khalifa of the state, offered the position of Qadi (Chief Judge of the State) to Imam Abu Hanifa. However, Abu Hanifa rejected the offer because he knew that if he became a judge, he would have to make decisions that favored Khalifa's interests, which would make it impossible for him to be unbiased.

In a letter to Muhammad Al-Mansur, Abu Hanifa declined the offer and explained that he was not qualified for the job. This angered Al-Mansur, who accused Abu Hanifa of lying and was disappointed that he couldn't make use of Abu Hanifa's talents for his purposes.

Pursuit of Knowledge

Imam Abu Hanifa

Abu Hanifa initially focused on studying theology (kalam). After completing his studies in theology, he began to study Islamic law and knowledge, also known as fiqh, in Kufa. Kufa was known for having some of the most prominent fiqh scholars of the time, and Abu Hanifa studied under the most learned instructor of the day, Hammad Ibn Sulaiman.

Abu Hanifa would often read aloud to Hammad Ibn Sulaiman during the interval between Maghrib and Isha, and he also visited Hammad's home whenever he had the opportunity. Abu Hanifa studied under Hammad for eighteen years. Following Hammad Ibn Sulaiman's passing in 1825, the Kufa Madrasah students elected Abu Hanifa as the leader of the madrasah.

Imam Abu Hanifa was a highly knowledgeable scholar who excelled not only in Islamic Studies but also in other subjects. He was committed to staying in his hometown and avoided leaving it as much as possible. However, after completing his education in Kufa and Basrah, Abu Hanifa traveled to Makkah and Madinah, the two most important centers of Islamic learning. In Makkah, he was a student of Abdullah ibn Abbas (R.A.) and studied the hadith of Ata Ibn Rbah. Abu Hanifa learned from him the importance of being extremely cautious in his approach to learning.

Almost four thousand teachers taught Imam Abu Hanifa. Although he traveled extensively to acquire his religious knowledge, it still needs to be determined how many teachers he actually studied under. He made over 55 Hajj pilgrimages during his lifetime.

Teachers of Imam Abu Hanifa

Most of his teachers thought Imam Abu Hanifa was very smart and knowledgeable.

Some teachers' names are as follows:

  • Rabiah bin Abu Abdurrahman
  • Abdullah bin Masud (Kufa)
  • Qatada Ibn Al-Numan
  • Imam Hammad ibn Sulaiman
  • Imam Ata Ibn Rabah
  • Amir bin Al-Shabi
  • Ibrahim Al-Nakhai

Imam Abu Haifa's Work

Imam Abu Hanifa, who was a really smart and wise person, wrote some special things. are given below.

  • Al-Fiqh al-Akbar
  • Wasiyyah al-Imam Abu Hanifa fi al-Tawheed
  • Kitab al-Raddala al-Qadariyyah
  • Risalah Abu Hanifa ila Uthman al-Bayti
  • Al-Aalim wa al-Mutaallim
  • Kitab al-Sayr
  • Al-Kitab al-Awsat
  • Al-Fiqh al-Absat
  • Kitab al-Jami
  • Kitab Ikhtilaf al-Sahaba

His Conversations with Sahabas

It is widely accepted that Imam Abu Hanifa was a member of the Tabieen. However, there are varying opinions on the exact number of companions of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) (Sahaba) that he acknowledged.

Nevertheless, historical evidence shows that Imam Abu Hanifa had met with the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) along with some of his close companions. He also had interactions with several Sahabas.

  • In Basra, Anas bin Malik (R.A).
  • In Makkah, Abu Tufail ibn Waasila (R.A.)
  • In Kufa, Abdullah Ibn Abu Awfa (R.A.)
  • In Madinah, Suhayl ibn Saad Saidi (R.A.).

Note S.A.W- Sallal laho Alai Wasallam (It means peace be upon him) and R.A- Radiya Allahu anhu (It means May God be pleased with him)

Students of Imam Abu Hanifa

Imam Abu Hanifa had many students, eight of whom became imams, and 28 became judges across different areas. Some of his notable disciples include:

  • Imam Nadhar bin Abdul Kareem
  • Imam Abu Ismah
  • Imam Hiban bin Ali
  • Imam Hasan bin Ziyaad
  • Imam Abu Yusuf
  • Imam Zufar
  • Imam Dawood Taaee
  • Imam Zuhayr bin Muaawiyah.
  • Imam Mandil bin Ali
  • Imam Muhammad bin Hasan as Shaybani
  • Imam Malik bin Mighwal
  • Imam Amr bin Maymoon

Abu Hanifa's Imprisonment and Death

It was approximately 146 AH that Abu Hanifa was sentenced to whipping and imprisonment for a comment he had made that had angered Mohammad Al-Mansur. The Imam was expelled and reportedly received ten lashes each day. Imam passed away at the age of 70 from harassment while in prison or, more likely, poisoning.

It happened in Baghdad at around 150 AH. According to legend, Imam Abu Hanifa died while in supplication (Sajda). He left a note in his last moments saying that he did not wish to be buried on any territory that the ruler had taken.

His Funeral Prayer and Burial Place

He was buried in Baghdad after his death, which quickly spread throughout the city. People came to pay their final tribute to the most revered Imam who established Islamic law.

Almost 50,000 people attended the burial ceremony. Due to the huge crowd, the Janazah Salah (funeral prayer) had to be repeated six times. Additionally, large groups of people gathered every day for a week to offer funeral prayers. Hammad, the son of the deceased, led the final Janazah Salah.

Imam Abu Hanifa's burial place is at the Al-Khayzaran cemetery in Baghdad, specifically in the area known as "Al-Adamiyah" in the north of the city. Adjacent to his tomb is the Abu Hanifa Mosque, also called Jamia Imam Al-Azam, which is one of the most famous Sunni mosques in Baghdad.

Abu Hanifa Words

Here are some great quotes from Imam Abu Hanifa.

"Knowledge without action is as if a body is without a soul. If knowledge is not embraced by the reality of action, it will be and is neither genuine nor agreeable."

Conclusion

Abu Hanifa was a significant figure in Islamic law and the fourth great Imam, born in Iraq in 80 AH (699 AD). He was a Persian trader and a devoted Muslim who studied Islamic law and knowledge in Kufa under Hammad Ibn Sulaiman. He had many disciples, including eight who became imams and 28 who became judges. However, he was sentenced to whipping and imprisonment for a comment that angered Mohammad Al-Mansur.


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