Fiqhul Akbar- 1
The role of the librarian
Praise be to God Almighty. Salat and peace be upon His servant and Messenger, His Beloved Muhammad (ﷺ), his family, companions and followers.
I have quoted Imam Abu Hanifa Rahimahullah's statement on various topics of Aqeedah and Sunnah in the books Ehyaus Sunan' and 'Islami Aqeedah' and mentioned that, despite being his followers, many people in our society hold conflicting views with his views on all these matters. All these statements have attracted the attention of many readers. Many have expressed interest in knowing the views of Imam Abu Hanifa and his students on faith, aqeedah, sunnah, bid'ah, etc. Some have said: We are Hanafi in Fiqh, Ash'ari or Maturidi in belief and Qadiri, Chishti or Naqshbandi in Tariqa. Can we not be Hanafi in all matters of Fiqh, Aqeedah and Tariqa? Imam Abu Hanifa did not have any creed and tariqa? If so what was it?
In fact, Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) gave the highest importance to Aqeedah. We will see that although he did not write any book on Fiqh, he did write a few booklets on Aqeedah, called the knowledge of Aqeedah the best Fiqh or 'Al-Fiqhul Akbar' and permitted ijtihad and disagreement on Fiqh but prohibited ijtihad and disagreement on Aqeedah. .
Among the works of Imam Azam (RA), 5 booklets on Aqeedah are famous. Among them are two commentaries of the booklet 'Al-Fiqhul Akbar'. One is popularly known as 'Al-Fiqhul Akbar' and the other as 'Al-Fiqhul Absat'. Some scholars have expressed the view that the second book, known as 'Al-Fiqhul Absat', is the original 'Al-Fiqhul Akbar'. In the section on 'Imam Abu Hanifa's writings' we will see that the first book in Sanad and Matan is also proven as 'Al-Fiqhul Akbar'. We have taken this booklet as the source for the translation. Because in this booklet 'Al-Fiqhul Absat' and all the booklets written by him are discussed in simple language. A comprehensive discussion of various aspects of Islamic belief is not present in this booklet as in other booklets written by him. That is why I decided to translate this booklet and explain various aspects of the Islamic faith based on it. Besides, I have quoted all the relevant statements from 'Al-Fiqhul Absaat' and other booklets.
For the opinion of Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) on Aqeedah in Al-Fiqhul Akbar's interpretation, I have relied on two other books besides his pamphlets:
(1) 'Al-Aqeedah at-Tahabiyyah' was written by the famous Hanafi jurist Imam Abu Ja'far Ahmad Ibn Salama Tahabi (238-321 AH) in the third-fourth century. He wrote this booklet describing the creed of Imam Abu Hanifa and his companions.
(2) Al-I'tiqad was written by the famous Hanafi jurist Imam Abul Ala Sayyid Ibn Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Naisapuri (343-432 AH) in the fourth-fifth Hijri century. In this book, he has compiled the statements of Imam Abu Hanifa on Aqeedah.
A characteristic of Fiqh al-Akbar's treatise is a variation on topics. In addition to the well-known topics of Aqeedah, he discussed many topics such as Taraweeh, Riya, Uzb, Signs of Resurrection, and Identity of Companions of Rasulullah (ﷺ). The discussion and explanation of this issue have increased the quality of our book.
While translating and interpreting Al-Fiqhul Akbar, I found that the source and subject of the confusion of the Muslim Ummah are almost the same today as it was in the second century. The fierceness of the Kharijites in the name of 'Takfir' and Jihad, the marginalization of Marifat and faith of the Jahmi-Murjiyas, the fanaticism and blindness of the Shias in the name of esoteric knowledge and the underestimation of revelation in the name of intellectualism by the Mu'tazilites are the main subjects of all the fitnah of the Ummah in the present age as well. Added to these in the present era is the prevalence of ignorance and polytheism about Tawheed. What Imam Abu Hanifa and other Imams said in that era to solve all these fitnah will guide us in the present era. For this reason, apart from Fiqhul Akbar's statements, I have discussed in detail the statements of Imam Abu Hanifa and other Imams of Ahlus Sunnat Wal Jamaat. Naturally, this has increased the scope of interpretation.
Read more: The reality of faith
Al-Fiqhul is one of Akbar's most popular epithets of Allah. This topic is completely new or different for many of us. Many beliefs in our society are completely opposite to the beliefs of Imam Abu Hanifa and his students. For example, the belief in 'Mahan Allah is omnipresent' is considered by Imam Abu Hanifa and his students to be different from the Kufir belief and pantheism of Jahmi Firka. On the other hand, many Muslims in our society hold this belief. As the matter is complex, I have tried to review it in a little detail.
I have divided this book into two parts. The first part is divided into three parts. In the first section, I have discussed the biography and evaluation of Imam Abu Hanifa, in the second section Imam Abu Hanifa's writings and in the third section, I have discussed Ilmul Aqidah and Ilmul Kalam.
The second part is the translation and interpretation of Al-Fiqhul Akbar. Scholars of the Tabi'i era did not write books in chapter-wise order like in the later era. They compiled their statements quite haphazardly. Or they say it orally and students write it down. That is why the topic of the book "Al-Fiqhul Akbar" is not organized like the books of the later era. The same topic has been discussed in different places. That is why it is difficult to divide its discussion into thematic sections. For the convenience of arrangement, I have divided the translation and explanation into five sections, keeping the continuity of the text of Al-Fiqhul Akbar. In each section, I have explained the topic in continuation of Imam Azam's speech.
My source of inspiration for all discussions and writing books on Aqeedah and Sunnah was my father-in-law Furfura Pir Shaikh Abul Ansar Siddiqui (RA). He was uncompromising in accepting and promoting pure belief based on the Sunnah. He also inspired us to be uncompromising. May Allah Almighty forgive his mistakes, accept his good deeds, grant him the best reward on behalf of us and the Ummah, and unite us in Paradise in the eternal life of the Hereafter.
Brother Shamsul Arifin Khalid gave me the greatest inspiration, encouragement and advice in the translation and interpretation of 'Al-Fiqhul Akbar'. From the beginning, he encouraged and repeatedly reviewed the manuscript and gave various constructive suggestions. In the light of the statements of Imam Abu Hanifa, the four Imams and the Salaf Salihin (Rahimahumullah), may Almighty Allah accept his sincere passion, advice and efforts in promoting the pure Sunnah-based Aqeedah and ending the debates, conflicts and marginalization of Aqeedah and grant him success in this world and the hereafter.
My loved ones inspired me to write this book. Especially my colleagues at As-Sunnah Trust. Shuaib Ahmad, Mufti Shahidullah, Shaikh Zakaria, Shaikh Mushahid Ali, Bhai Abdur Rahman and others all helped in various ways. Professor Dr. Oli Ulyah, Dr. Abdus Salam Sumon and Maulana Imdadul Haque proofread and suggested. May Allah reward them and all the other Ulama who have helped me with various constructive suggestions.
The names of innumerable Imams, Alims and Elders are repeatedly mentioned in this book. It was not possible to write (Rah) as an indication of Durr in every place with everyone's name. A request to the reader, say 'Rahimahullah' along with the names of all the scholars and make dua for them. It is through them that we have received the Deen and it is our duty of faith to make dua for them. May Allah Almighty grant infinite mercy to all the scholars mentioned in this book and to all the scholars of the Muslim Ummah. amen
I have mentioned the name of the author, the title of the book and the page in the footnotes. Detailed information about the book has been mentioned in the 'Bibliography' at the end of the book. I have relied on 'Al-Maqtabatush Shamila' in many cases.
I have tried to make the explanation of Al-Fiqhul Akbar simple for common Bengali readers. That is why I have avoided detailed debates, discussions, or quotations on many issues. As a result, many times the subject may seem incomplete or incomplete to scholars. Also, due to the complexity of the subject matter and my scientific limitations, it is normal for there to be mistakes in the book. It will be a great favor to me if any esteemed reader points out the errors. May Allah reward him. We also welcome any informational and presentational suggestions. We will correct the mistakes in the next version, Insha Allah.
All branches of Islamic knowledge aim to guide the life of the believer in following the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The purpose of Ilmul Fiqh is that the worship, worship and all activities of the believer should be celebrated exactly in the manner of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and his Companions. The purpose of Ilmut Tazqiya or Tasawwuf is to make the state of the believer's heart exactly like their pure hearts. The purpose of Ilmul Aqeedah is that all matters of the believer's faith should exactly match their faith. We believe that Imam Abu Hanifah penned the pen for the Prophet's revival of the Sunnah concerning Aqeedah. The purpose of our translation and interpretation is also the same. We pray to Almighty Allah, to accept our meager efforts in reviving and establishing the Sunnah of His Beloved. Make all of our hearts follow the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Give strength to our hearts to know, obey, and preach the Sunnah in faith, belief, fiqh, tazqiyyah and in all areas of life and to relentlessly ignore all exceptions to the Sunnah for the sake of the Sunnah. amen
I am praying to Almighty Allah, may He please forgive my mistakes in this book and accept them. Make it a means of salvation for me, my parents, wife and family, well-wishers and all the readers. Amen! Peace and blessings of Allah be upon Khalil Muhammad (ﷺ), his family and companions.
Abdullah Jahangir
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