What will be explained… who Abu Haneefa was!

Abu Haneefa .. a story of a unique man

“Cup of Knowledge never wound the lips”

By Dr. Islam Al-Mazeny

He is a man who people call as the biggest imam and this name which people give to him was not just a name which came from false magnifying. He really deserved the name.

And this never meant he was refuge from mistakes or he was infallible but shows us how his position was between scholars and how great he was.

' I saw Abu Haneefa day by day... '

He became more intelligent and better person.

He said the right and chose the best whenever the people in delusions said delusion theories and fabricated words. '

Poem by Abdullah Ibn Al-Mubarak, may Allah bestow His mercy upon him.

رأيت أبا حنيفة كل يوم ** يزيد نباهة و يزيد خيرا

و ينطق بالصواب و يصطفيه ** إذا ماقال أهل الجور جورا

His father named Thabit came from Persian land to Kufah the old famous big city in Iraq. He worked in trading as all the families were, lived in good financial condition.

His Persian heritage didn’t affect his position in society or put him down as he was not an Arab because the great Islamic always put the good worker and the brave positive one as first and give honor to the one who fear Allah most, the pious one.

Islam was not a family system which classify people into social classes according to their family state and was not a foolish arrogant system built on earth ties like the system before such as Majana Carta, the foreign document which British people made to give full human rights to all humans without discrimination there was the Islamic document that is the verse from Allah the most honourable, the most gifted, the most beloved by your Lord, the highest degree in the calculation of your Lord is the most pious one.

May Allah bestow His mercy to the wonderful non-Arab Muslims, who became more fluent and more knowledgeable than the Arabs. The Arabs loved him more than themselves as if it was the true right prediction which the Messenger peace and prayers be upon him said in his saying; if knowledge is as far as the sun, some people from Persian land will take it!

He deserved to be one of the top four great Imam as the famous poem says,

* And Abu Haneefa the Imam and Malek, plus Shafi’ee and the strong Ahmad*

و أبى حنيفة الإمام و مالك ** و الشافعى و أحمد المتمنع

His father lived in Kufah a city in Iraq and Allah gave him an intelligent son whose name was Abu Haneefah and his real name was An-Nu'maan.

He was born in the year 80 Hijri. He worked in cloth trading like his father and he continued this good work along his life.

He said a nice word representing his wisdom and honor about work and money earning from permissible sources (the best money is that you gain from permissible source and the best and most delicious food is that which you gain from your hand work).

So, the heart of this young man was not consumed in young men's imaginations and desires or drunken in laugh and jokes all life and he didn’t live a long sleep which is a 60 year duration like some people! He had a big aim and a great dream. Let us stand here with this truthful; seller in an amazing story.

One day a female came to him to sell a piece of cloth to him and he asked her how much you sell, she said 100. He replied, it is better than 100. (He is the one who say to her as a hint to raise the price. He was not grasping the chance as an intelligent business man). Then she said 200, he replied no it worth more, and again till she said 400. Then she said you are taking me as a joke!! Then he went for a moment and came with a man from the market who bought from her the cloth with 500!

And he didn’t take any commission!! See! A life story with musk colour and odour.…

His life was not a game, win and loose, to live up and down, jump or fall, like any business man.

One day he gave his trading partner a piece of cloth, which has some default in manufacturing and he asked his partner to inform the buyer about this before selling it, but the man forgot to tell and he couldn't find the one who bought it to ask forgiveness and to return part of the money back as it should be cheaper of course, then when he told Abu Haneefa what had happened, Abu Haneefa gave away all the money as charity!

Arabic Poem

فى الزهد أحمد و النباهة مالك ** و أبى حنيفة و الأغر الهاشمى

' In humbleness is Ahmad, and in intelligence are Malek and Abu Haneefa and the brilliant Hashimi ' (Imam As-Shafi'e as he was from the family of Hashim same family of our messenger peace be upon him).

Abu Haneefa had the habit of gathering his income from the profit of trading and spending them by buying all the needs of his students and scholars, (free scholarships), food, clothes, and others. He then gave everyone some money and said to them, “Spend in your needs and don’t praise other than Allah. (In other words, don’t thank me) as I don’t give you from my own money but it is from the blessing which Allah has bestowed upon me and you!!!”

So he will share them the reward in all good knowledge which they spread like pearls among the nation and share with the people who got the knowledge as the Messenger peace and prayers be upon him said, ‘any one who invite people to do good will have similar reward like those who follow him without deducting from them anything and anyone who call for bad thing will have the same punishment, same like the followers without deducting from their account any sin.’

So Abu Haneefa was not just a volunteer teacher, whom people inherit from him a wonderful tradition which he learned. He was also an active generous donor who always giving to spread the light of Allah.

And he mentioned the reasons for choosing the way of knowledge in shari'ah, fiqh, he said: “I found this science however you deal with it or go deeper in it or give it more thinking and revising, it becomes more wonderful and great, and your religious duties can't be done properly without it.'

The teachers of Abu Haneefa were the pioneer scholars, the heads of this nation, who left the golden knowledge for us.

Imam Zahabi said in his book named 'Reminder for those who memorize'

Abu Haneefa got knolwlege from Ataa, Nafea, Abdurrahman Ibn Hurmuz, Salama Ibn Kuhail, Abu Gaffer Muhammad Ibn Ali, Qatada, Amr Ibn Deenar, Abu Ishak and many others!

And in the book named Al-'Ibar (It means the events which leave mark inside the heart which give us wisdom)

He said, Abu Haneefa, learned from Ataa Ibn Rabah and got the knowledge of Islamic Jurisprudence from Hammad.

So Abu Haneefa was, like other scholars, was careful to learn the sayings of the Messenger may peace and prayers be upon him, and did ijtihaad. (use mind to conclude the rules which are not listed to understanding of the general base and principle of Shari'a and searching for similar cases or near to such cases) to know what is the right rule in any matter which face by people in their life, what is the correct opinion which please Allah)

And we have to know that we shouldn’t imitate him or any imam if we find anything contradict the saying of the Messenger peace and prayers be upon him as Abu Haneefa and all imams, all Islamic scholars are real truth seekers who always seeking the right but none of them collected all sayings of the prophets, it was hard those days to gather all Prophet's traditions. So they always warned anyone who followed them from leaving the sayings of the Prophets. If anyone discovered any sayings of the Prophets which are against with what they said and can produce clear texts in their books, they said, 'don’t imitate us if you find other stronger proof.'

As they knew one day all Prophet's traditions will be gathered and verified and checked to remove any fabricated story through careful historical and language searching and analysis of all texts transferred to us to see which are really said by the Messenger peace and prayers be upon him and which are not.

And here are examples of what they said,

Abu Haneefa said, 'If you found a correct clear sayings of the Prophets, take it as my opinion! (He meant to say, leave what he said and apply that opinion) and it is not permissible (halal) for anyone who give opinion from my books unless he knows from where I got my opinion (the proof from the Scripture and the Tradition or general agreement by all scholars on certain matter).

Imam Malek says,

I am just a human, sometimes I don't reach to the truth and sometimes I do. So look to what I said and whatever the Qur'aan and Tradition said, take it and whatever the case do not leave them.

Imam Shafi'e said,

If you found in my book anything contradicts with the Prophet’s Tradition (way of messenger peace and prayers be upon him) then say what is right and leave what I said. Then follow it and don’t look to opinion of anyone else.

Imam Ahmad said,

Anyone reject the saying of the Messenger peace and prayers be upon him, this means he is about to fall in hell and loose guidance totally. Don’t imitate me and don’t imitate Malek. Don't imitate Shafi'ee neither imitate Awza'ee and take from the same source which they took them from (He means to say follow the proof of the original and pure teachings of the Prophets which they follow and don’t follow their words and take it as sacred words as they are just humans who tried to reach to the truth).

reference

1] إيقاظ الهمم ص62.
[2] الانتقاء لابن عبد البر ص145.
[3] إيقاظ الهمم ص72.
[4] مناقب الشافعي ج1 ص472؛ والرواية الأخرى لأبي نعيم في الحلية ج9 ص107.
[5] شرح أصول اعتقاد أهل السنة والجماعة ج3 ص430.

So we are just taking what they think is right and not pointing too who is right. Please look through the books of this imam, you will find these meanings which filled his vessels and lived in his heart and he gave to his students after he received from his pioneer fathers the scholars.

Come to see the practical life, which is a good example to show you the written meanings as a living human who only fear Allah!

One day the leader of all nation called Al-Mansour (the one who get victory from Allah) sent to Abu Haneefa many jewelries, money and gifts but Abu Haneefa refused to accept the gift! The leader said how could you reject my gift, my present, my reward to you?! Then Abu Haneefa said: If you give me from your own money which you earned from your hand work or permissible source I would accept, but if you give me the money which you get from the public, I have no right to accept it!

Just imagine how strong he was for not fearing the punishment!

One day, there was a problem between the leader and his wife because he was injustice between her and another wife and the wife made a complain asking for justice! The leader ask his wife, “Whom do you choose and agree to be judge between me and you as a fair judge whom you feel satisfied with his mind and faith, to judge as a sincere man!” She said, “Abu Haneefa the scholar, the Imam!”

Then the leader agrees. Then he called Abu Haneefa and said to him, 'my wife is complaining and angry, give me my right from her!'

Abu Haneefa said, 'let our leader speak.'

Al-Mansour asked, 'how many female am I allowed to marry?

Abu Haneefa answered, 'four'!

Then Al-Mansour said to his wife, “Do you hear that?”

Then Abu Haneefa said, “Oh! The leader of the faithful, Allah gave this permission only for those who are just, so if anyone who was injustice or afraid that he can’t do justice, he has to marry only one!”

As Allah said, if you are afraid you will not do justice, then marry one.

: {فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلا تَعْدِلُوا فَوَاحِدَةً} [النساء: 3]،

So we have to be polite with Allah and obey his orders and follow his wisdom and His reminder.

Then the leader Al-Mansour kept silent for a long time!

And Abu Haneefa stood up and went back. Later, the wife of Al-Mansour sent to Abu Haneefa's home some clothes and money as a reward! Abu Haneefa rejected and said, 'Reveal my greetings to her and tell her I defended my religion and stood in this situation and risk for the sake of Allah, and I didn’t do this to be favourable to anyone or to please any human! Or to seek any benefit from this world.

Did you see!

His night was not a heavy long waiting for a gift or a prize except from his Creator of the universe. It was not a hard matter for him to say the right, his heart was not exhausted by many wishes and desires, was not scattered between life and other life, was not suffering and tired from being searching for middle solutions!

Abu Haneefa was a student attending all time with the famous scholar Hammad Ibn Abu Sulayman to learn Islamic Jurisprudence (fiqh), and he stayed accompanying him till he died, Abu Haneefa started this companionship when he was 22 years old for 18 years with this Imam Hammad.

He says: 'I accompanied him for ten years. Then I felt my internal desire whispering to be Imam like him, to be a professor and to make my own class and teach and be a leader in science. One day I went out of my home aiming to do this to start sitting alone in the mosque and teach, as an independent teacher! But I couldn’t do it, I felt it is wrong feeling, and my heart couldn't obey me to be isolated from him! and I sit with him normally, then suddenly at this night while we are sitting together, some one came telling him regarding the lost of one relative, had passed away then my professor decided to go to the village which his relative was living in to attend funeral. He left me alone in the mosque instead of him as an alternative or temporary teacher to give replies to people until he came. Then some people came and start asking me in Islamic topics regarding Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh). There are many question in these topics which I never heard from him, so I just gave the reply according to my own understanding and writing down in my notes what I said, then when he came, I told him my replies and they were about 60 issues altogether and he agreed with me only in 40 issues and said I did a mistake in 20 issues.

So I decided at this moment not to leave him till he dies!

And this was what I did ……

We can see how much he is truthful, honest and humble. He never seeks to be a leader and fabricated any reply or opinion (fatwa) just to be known as a wiser one. He was not a dreamer to be a famous one regardless the standard of knowledge he got, he was careful for this responsibility. The value was warm inside his heart and his breath was a practical applying for these principles. He was keeping the roses of the best dream, to satisfy Allah, always fresh and flowery.

The only point which can be criticized is his opinion in Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh), Hanafi School of thoughts.

Firstly, he expanded the suggestive way for any problem which did not occur yet by imagining any situation then started to find the solution for it. This was not so favourable to give any opinion like this. Supposed we only dealt with the real situation which was happening as every situation has its circumstances which brain could not conclude and cover totally by prediction and assumption.

Secondly, the work of gathering the sayings of the Prophet were in progress at his time and completed after his time. Therefore he missed some sayings of the Prophet, as he was not collecting all Ahadith like Imam Ahmad and also he put additional condition to accept only famous hadith as a right one. Therefore, he didn't accept some hadith because in his opinion they have to be very famous to be accepted.

Abu Haneefa with Abu Hubayra!

Abu Hubayra was the leader of the city of Kufah and he was a strict leader, injustice and people started to make small revolution. He gathered all scholars to give everyone of them a certain big position in the government system to make them obeyed him and be his followers. By having scholars with him in the leadership team may polish his policy and gave brilliant appearance. So people will just kept quiet and felt it was wrong to be against such government! All the scholars accepted and he also asked Abu Haneefa to accept the post as general supervisor! But Abu Haneefa refused!

And he said, “If he gave me job just to count the doors only, I will not do!”

So Abu Haneefa was not among those who joy when the leader gave them positions. His soul found its happiness in different things so he didn’t see positions as flowers and gardens and rivers, as a dream. He saw them as a heavy responsibility which, collaborate with mistakes and at the same time he had to keep silent without criticizing the mistake of leaders.

The leader didn’t like Abu Haneefa to reject his offer and he threatened him. If Abu Haneefa refused, he will order his servants to strike him and put him into the prison as a punishment but Abu Haneefa was stable and strong and said, 'I will not share in this injustice ruling system! I will not be used as a cover for your mistakes!'

Abu Haneefa lost consciousness under the stress of stiking! But he was still strong.

One day Abu Haneefa was in the Khaleefa's place and people said to the Khaleefa, Al-Mansoor, "This man, Abu Haneefa is the scholar of the universe nowadays." Then Al-Mansoor asked Abu Haneefa from where you got your knowledge? Abu Haneefa said, "From the companions of the companions of the Prophet may peace be upon him, Abdullah Ibn Abbas and Abdullah Ibn Masoud and Abdullah ibn Omar Ibn Al-Khattab!

Then Al-Mansoor said, so you make the precautions for yourself!

Al-Mansoor meant to say that he has no doubt or hesitation in such knowledge! And no one could criticize him.

We can see how wonderful this knowledge which came from the companions of the Prophet, peace and prayers be upon him, from the angel Jibreel and from Allah!

Oh....Dear readers.

Those people were not other creations.

They were just human being whom we can follow their opinion and imitate their hard work and strive.

They were not spending their life in front of television, dreaming to achieve their personal wishes …

They have nothing to disturb their mind from things which are exaggerated in our century being over conscious about health, loving money, personal future, being famous, wasting time on entertainment, music, chatting, football, playing, fashion and leisure.

Oh! …how painful ..

Let us go back to these beautiful days, beautified by its people.

The people of the city Mawsel have a revolution against Al-Mansoor. He gathered the scholars saying: we know the conditions have to be fulfilled and those people in this city have promised me that if they have any troubles against me I am free to kill them! Some said you have the right to do but you are merciful!

Then Abu Haneefa said!

This condition is wrong! No one have the right to give his life as a promise, no one owe his life. Life can’t be ended except by order of the Creator! And you don’t have the permission from the Creator to kill them. It is forbidden and Allah has to be obeyed! And not your deal!

Then Al-Mansoor, asked all people to go out except Abu Haneefa and said to him, “You are right!!!”

Didn’t you see??

The man was sensitive and living by the heart of As-Shaheed (expecting to be killed from Al-Mansoor as the price for his sacrifice to say the right and defend justice) but he lived like this, he prepared himself for this as he didn’t forget the other life. He didn’t have a divided conscience.

He didn’t give his heart to be possessed by evil whisper to live and had a colony of devils inside to lead him to deviation.

Books of Abu Haneefa :

In this century many innovators appeared and they corrupted the Islamic view by their false proofs and bad philosophical opinions which they got from different cultures like Greek and Persian etc.

Abu Haneefa like other pioneer scholars took a good situation from all this and started a mental discussion against all innovations to clarify the truth and erase the delusions and remove all dirty thoughts and showed the correct understanding of Qur’aan and Sunnah.

These innovators were from many groups and many directions. Some innovations were from the Jews, Christians and Greek philosophers etc. Every group had its own way of understanding and view.

Other sects are such as the Shi’a, their exaggeration of love to Ali Ibn Abi Taleb, until they believed him as the Prophet and Mu’tazilah (the group which put themselves in the middle and isolated from all opinions and has exaggeration in mind rule to leave clear proofs) etc.

These deviated groups have a few followers but poisoning people’s beliefs.

The wonderful scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah (who follow the sayings of messenger peace and prayers be upon him, according to the understanding of his companions and their students, not according to suggestion and philosophy) have their books to replies against all these deviated groups.

Abu Haneefa made his book, the biggest Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh), to reply and show the correct way, building the new life for his nation with the wonderfulness of science and respect for knowledge to fight against the ignorant opinions and views. People are honoured by their knowledge and living with good characters and good deeds as said in Arabic poem

يبنى لأمته الحياة جديدة ** للعلم فيها روعة و جلال

تأبى المعاول أن يقر قرارها ** حتى تدمر ما بنى الجهال

شرف الشعوب علومها و حياتها** أن تصلح الأخلاق و الأعمال

What other scholars said about Imam Abu Haneefa.

Imam Zahabi

‘He was excellent in Islamic Jurisprudence (fiqh), understanding the text and a generous man with a lot of prayers and recitation of Qur’aan in night prayers, may he be pleased by Allah’.

Did you see he was not just a library, but with a big memory …

Ibn Katheer

Imam Abu Haneefa, was the scholar of Iraq, one of the Islamic historical leaders and scholars.

Ibn Al-Emad

He was from intelligent unique humans, gathered knowledge and a good worshipper, fearing Allah and generous with people, never accept gifts from any leaders!

Take wisdom as a treatment and searched it in old books of your history and read the good life of your previous ancestors as if the dead one may teach the living one!

Arabic poem

عالجوا الحكمة ، واستشفوا بها

وانشدوا ما ضل منها فى السِّير

واقرؤوا آداب من قبلكم

ربما علَّم حيا من غبر

Could you see the shine of this man? The man who was free from all situations, who never accepted any bribery?

He was a thankful slave at night and a remarkable professor at day time.

He realized that the wealth of this earth was worthless and not equal to the price of saving taqwa, to be pious and sincere.

Al-Fodayl Ibn Eyad

Abu Haneefa was a scholar, rich and generous man, patient, bearing to learn at night and day, committed to night prayers (tahajjud).

He practiced a lot of silence, little talking except in good discussion regarding permissible and forbidden matters, he was good to show the right way and fear of any forbidden earnings, he was like a mountain of knowledge and taqwa.

Can you see???

He was like a bird between scholars, flying by wings of fear and love to his Creator, not imprisoning himself in life cages and walls.

Imam Malek Ibn Anas

Nu’maan, this is Nu’maan, if he said this part of mosque is made from gold, you will find he is truthful! Or he can persuade you it is!

He meant to say that Abu Haneefa was truthful and very intelligent in discussions.

Can you see? How someone could live and his fragrance is still in existence for centuries after him and still spreading!

Imam Mis’aar Ibn Kidam

One day Abu Haneefa read the Qur’aan till he reached to the verse,

{فَمَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا وَوَقَانَا عَذَابَ السَّمُومِ} [الطور: 27]

And he reread it until dawn!

And in another time he repeated the verse,

وردد قوله تعالى: {بَلِ السَّاعَةُ مَوْعِدُهُمْ وَالسَّاعَةُ أَدْهَى وَأَمَرُّ} [القمر: 46]،

All night long in night prayer!

He was concentrating with the meanings,

Centuries of light will return in spite of all who hate!

And all hypocrites and those who like to betray …

The light of Allah will never be extinguished by small foolish boys,

Our religion landmarks will never disappear…

And its rosy fragrance and wonderful good spirit will never fade..

Arabic poem..

ويخيب كلُّ منافقٍ خوَّانِ

هيهات نور الله لا يطفيه كيدُ

عصابةٍ حمقى من الصِّبيانِ

هيهات أن تخفَى معالمُ ديننا

ويزول طيبُ الروحِ والرَّيحانِ

His Death

He was offered to be a judge but he refused to be part of the court system as a matter of principle. As a result of his refusal he was put into prison until his death.

He said to the Khalifah, “I am not suitable for this post, I can’t be generous with your men and give them special position and special treatment (recommendation) because they are your men!”

And I am not suitable to play this role! (To be a false judge)

After refusal, he was put into prison for some times. He worked in building the wall of the capital of Baghdad trying to be away from the anger of the ruler. They said at the time of his death, he felt that he was about to die and he did prostration to Allah and died at that moment. Some source said that the Khalifah attended his funeral and prayed for his Janaza, with all people in the city and Khalifah felt a great regression and sorrow for what he did because he forced him to be a judge and treated him harshly. Khalifah said, “Who will save me from this sin which I have done to this man, who will protect me or give me any excuse to this man living or dead.”

Can you see the psychic effect of righteousness, it is the power of the truth and the strength of faith which made the big leader felt that he was beaten and sad after he did a big mistake by forcing the innocent man, Abu Haneefa as the one who will follow what he wanted.

Abu Haneefa achieved his dream, to be independent scholar who was not influenced by any system and rejecting all offers from the leader. The righteous lasted what was right forever.

The story was not just shaking the heart but it took it out, grasped it out of ribs and chests. Who will follow those wonderful people..???

The students of Abu Haneefa:

He had many students who became scholars after him, some of them continued on the right way and some were deviated.

The most famous are as follows

Abu Youssef (Yakoob Ibn Ibraheem), he was the Head of Judges after Abu Haneefa died and he chose all judges to be on Hanafi sect. So, all the Government affairs and documents in the country followed the Hanafi School of thought. This is one of the factors which make the Hanafi School of Thought spread widely until today.

Muhammad Ibn Al-Hassan Ashaybanee, one of his students wrote all fatwa and replies of Abu Haneefa even in any changes in opinions made by Abu Haneefa. He recorded the fatwa (opinion) like an encyclopedia to let you know how he concluded and changed and the reason why he changed. He traveled to Madyan and met Imam Malek and this made him in the middle way between the two schools as he took the opinion of Madina school in many points after long discussions with Imam Malek, the Imam of Madina at that time. Muhammad was a scholar and a judge before he resigned. He spent his remaining life as a voluntary professor.

Oh! The Nation of Honor and glory in old days…Why now you are lazy and don’t want to know…

This laziness was never expected, predicted or anticipated or even imagined from you!

Arabic poem

أيا أمة المجد فى الغابر

إلام خمولك فى الحاضر

وما كان يعزى إليك الخمول

ولا كان يخطر بالخاطر

Other student who became famous was Zofar Ibn Al-Hozayl who, died in the year 158 hijra .

There was another student also very famous and strong against innovators, Ibraheem Ibn Tahmaan who died in the year of 163Hijrah.

Can you see the drops of perfume which the teacher left for us!! Do you see these facts which make the tight and narrow chest becoming wide again for people who learn and apply?

Ask Allah to gather us all in the Paradise, pure and away from sins and heavy responsibilities.

Peace and prayers be upon the Prophet and his family and companions.

Written by

Dr. Islam Al-Mazeny

Doctor_thinker@hotmail.com