Imam al-A'zam Abu Hanifa's (Alaihr rahmah) full name was Nu'man ibn Thabit ibn Zuta ibn Marzuban. He was born in Kufa in Iraq in 80 A.H. He belonged to the pious period of the Taab'ins (Successors of the Sahabas).
DIVINE MISSION:
It is stated in a Hadith Shareef which Imam al-Harizmi reported from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radi Allahu anhuma) that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Among my Ummah, there will come a man called Abu Hanifa. On the Day of Resurrection, he will be the light of my Ummah." Another Hadith Shareef states: "In every century, a number of my Ummah will attain to high grades. Abu Hanifa will be the highest of his time." These two Ahadith are recorded in "Durr al-Mukhtar."
EARLY LIFE:
While still in his youth, he met great Sahaba like Sayyiduna Anas bin Maalik, Sayyiduna Sahl bin Saad & Sayyiduna Abul Tufail Amir bin Wathilah (radi Allahu anhum ajma'in). Imam A'zam Abu Hanifa (alaihir rahmah) was first brought up as a trader, but soon started taking deep interest in Islamic learning.
EDUCATION:
He attended the lectures of Sayyiduna Hammad Basri (radi Allahu anhu) in Fiqh & then began to study the Hadith. He learnt under great scholars in Kufa. In Basrah he studied under two great Taabi'ie scholars who had learnt Hadith under the Sahaba. In Makkah-tul-Mukarramah & Madina-tul-Munawwarah, he learnt under Sayyiduna Ata bin Abi Rabah & Sayyiduna Ikramah (radi Allahu anhuma). In fact, Imam A'zam Abu Hanifa (alaihir rahmah) had numerous teachers. Some historians say that he learnt Hadith from about 4,000 scholars. Some of his famous teachers were:
Sayyiduna Imam Baaqir,Sayyiduna Imam Jafar Saadiq,
Sayyiduna Ali,
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah,
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar,
Sayyiduna Aqabah bin Umar,
Sayyiduna Safwaan,
Sayyiduna Jabir & Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah (radi Allahu anhum ajma'in).
Abu Hanifa Mosque in 1890
AS A TEACHER:
When his teacher, Sayyiduna Hammad Basri (alaihir rahmah) passed away, Imam A'zam Abu Hanifa (alaihir rahmah) was 40 years old & he began teaching. He became very famous & travelled many places. Students from all over the Muslim world came to him to listen to his lectures, interviews & debates. Imam Maalik (alaihir rahmah) also learnt under him. When he was 56 years old, Caliph Mansur came to power after the Ummayad dynasty was overthrown by the Abbasids in 132 A.H. Since Imam Abu Hanifa (alaihir rahmah) opposed the Caliph's ruthless killing of the Ahle Bait, he was arrested. The Caliph offered the Imam the post of a Qaadi (Judge), but he refused. The Caliph Mansur repented & offered Imam A'zam Abu Hanifa (alaihir rahmah) 30,000 pieces of silver. The great Imam refused once more. He was imprisoned again & thrashed 10 more strokes every day.
PASSES AWAY:
In the Month of Rajab 150 A.H, Imam A'zam Abu Hanifa (alaihir rahmah) passed away while in Salaah. He had been poisoned by the orders of Caliph Mansur. His Janaza Salaah was performed six times & each time 50,000 people took part. People continued to came & pray for him for 20 days after he was buried. He was 70 years old. In 459 A.H. a Mazaar (Tomb) was built for him by the Seljuki ruler Alp Arsalan. He lies buried in a Tomb situated near Baghdad in Iraq.
STUDENTS:
Imam A'zam Abu Hanifa (alaihir rahmah) left behind about 980 students. The most famous among them being:
a. Sayyiduna Qadi Abu Yusuf (alaihir rahmah)b. Sayyiduna Imam Muhammad (alaihir rahmah)
c. Sayyiduna Imam Zufur (alaihir rahmah)
PERSONALITY:
Imam A'zam Abu Hanifa (alaihir rahmah) earned his living by trading. Every Friday he distributed 20 gold coins to the poor for his parents soul. For 40 years Imam A'zam Abu Hanifa (alaihir rahmah) performed the Fajr Salah with the Wudu that he made for the Isha Salaah (ie. he did not sleep after the night prayer). He performed Hajj 55 times. He used to recite the entire Holy Quran once every day & once every night. Imam A'zam Abu Hanifa (alaihir rahmah) had so much of Taqwa (Piety) that for 30 years he fasted every day (except for the 5 forbidden days). He often read the Holy Quran in one rakaah or two. He did not accept any presents from anyone. He wore clothes like those of the poor. Imam A'zam Abu Hanifa (alaihir rahmah) once said: "I laughed once in my life & I regret it." He talked little & thought much. It is said that at the place where his soul was taken, he read the Holy Quran 7,000 times.
GREATNESS OF IMAM ABU HANIFA:
GOLDEN WORDS OF WISDOM:
- Knowledge without deeds is like a body without a soul. As long as knowledge does not embrace the existence of action it will not be enough not agreeable nor sincere.
- Difficulties are the result of sin. The sinful therefore does not have the right to lament when difficulties befall him.
- To reduce the connection of the World means that a person takes that which is essential from the World & leaves that which is non essential.
- That person who seeks knowledge to attain the World finds that knowledge has no place in his heart.
- That person whose knowledge does not prevent him from committing sin & transgressions then who is that person who has suffered or incurred a greater loss than him.
- For the attainment of knowledge satisfaction is useful & satisfaction is not gained by increasing information but by decreasing it.
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