Fiqhul Akbar 6
4. Abu Hanifa in the eyes of the Muhaddiths of the second century
The Muslim world in the second century of Hijri was the blessed age of Tabi'i and Tabi-Tabii scholars, muhaddis and faqihs. Mecca, Medina, Kufa, Basra, Damascus, Baghdad and other cities of that era were full of wandering Imams who were proficient in Hadith, Fiqh, and all other Islamic knowledge. We can easily estimate the status and prominence of Imam Abu Hanifa among these eminent scholars when we see that both the Umayyad and Abbasid governments were eager to have him as a judge. At the end of the Umayyad caliphate, when Imam Abu Hanifa was in his 50s, his popularity and acceptance led the Umayyad governor of Iraq, Ibn Hubairah (132 AH), to press him to take up the post of judge. After the establishment of the Abbasid caliphate, Caliph Mansur (reigned 136-158 AH) was eager to give Imam Abu Hanifa the post of judge in order to increase the prestige and acceptance of his caliphate. When he refused to accept the responsibility, they tried to force him and imprisoned him.
A second point is worth noting. All Muhaddith, Faqih and researchers of Imam Abu Hanifa's side and against agreeing that Imam Abu Yusuf (113-182 AH) was one of the best Faqih, reliable Muhaddith and Hafizul Hadith of that era. He was the first in the Muslim world to receive the title of 'Qazil Quyat', i.e. 'Chief Justice'. During the reign of three Abbasid caliphs Mahdi, Hadi and Harun Rashid, he served as Chief Justice for about 24 years and died in office. The greatest scholar of this age considered himself a student of Abu Hanifa and wrote many books on Fiqh and Usuli for his opinion. From this, we can easily feel the dignity of Imam Abu Hanifa.
A third thing is worth noting. Imam Abu Hanifa was from Kufa. He went to Baghdad on the call of Caliph Mansur. Refusing the Caliph's request to act as judge, he was imprisoned and died there. At that time, Kufa and Baghdad were two completely different countries. Therefore, even if he is popular in Kufa, such a person who is a newcomer and imprisoned by the Caliph is not supposed to be popular in Baghdad. But historians have mentioned that his funeral prayers were so crowded that his funeral prayers were recited six times. After the burial, Khalifa Mansoor himself performed the funeral next to the grave. After that for about 20 days, people performed Salatul Janazah next to the grave.
We can feel from this incident how the fame and popularity of Imam Abu Hanifa spread beyond his own country to the entire Muslim world before his death. However, we are quoting the statements of some eminent scholars of the second Hijri century about him.
(1) Mughirah Ibn Miksam Dabbabi Kufi (136 AH)
A well-known reliable muhaddith and faqih of Imam Abu Hanifa's teaching rank Mughirah Ibn Miksam. He was a resident of Kufa. All Muhaddith including Bukhari and Muslim accepted his hadith. His student was the famous reliable muhaddis, jurist and judge Jarir Ibn Abdul Hamid Dabbabi (188 AH). Bukhari, Muslim and all Muhaddith accepted his hadith. Saimari, Jahabi, Ibn Hajar and other Muhaddiths quoted from him in their chain of authority:
قال لي مغيرة: جالس أبا حنيفة تفقه فإن إبراهيم النخعي لو كان حياً لجالسه. ... والله يحسن أن يتكلم في الحلال والحرام
Mughirah said to me: You will sit in the Majlis of Abu Hanifa, then you will be able to learn Fiqh. Because if Ibrahim Nakhi (95 AH), the famous muhaddith and faqih of Kufa, was alive, he would have sat in the Majlis of Abu Hanifa. ... By God! He has the ability to speak well about what is halal and haram.''
(2) Sulaiman ibn Mihran al-A'mash (148 AH)
Sulaiman Ibn Mihran Al-A'mash (148 AH) was the famous Muhaddith of Kufa. Imam Abu Hanifa learned hadith from him. He often asked Imam Abu Hanifa, on the basis of which document did you say this issue? Abu Hanifah used to reply, On the basis of such and such hadith that you have narrated. Then he would say in surprise,
يا معشر الفقهاء أنتم الأطباء ونحن الصيادلة
"O, jurists! You are doctors and we are pharmacists!
When A'mash went for Hajj, he said to his student Ali Ibn Musahir, "Write down for us the rules of Hajj from Abu Hanifah." When he was asked about fiqhi masala, he used to say:
إنما يحسن الجواب في هذا ومتله النعمان بن تحبيت الخزاز واراه بورك له في علمه
Only the cloth merchant Numan Ibn Thabit can answer these questions. I think his knowledge has been blessed.''
(3) Misr Ibn Kidam Ibn Zahir Kufi (155 AH)
A contemporary of Imam Abu Hanifa was the well-known Tabi-Tabiyi muhaddis of Kufa, Imam Misr Ibn Kidam. Bukhari, Muslim and all other Imams accepted his narration. He said about Imam Abu Hanifa:
ما أحسد أحدا بالكوفة إلا رجلين أبو حنيفة في فقهه والحسن بن صالح في زهده... من جعل أبا حنيفة بينه وبين الله رجوت أن لا يخاف ولا يكون فرط في الاحتياط لنفسه
“I do not consider anyone worthy of envy except two men of Kufa: Abu Hanifa for his Fiqh and Hasan Ibn Salih for his Juhd. ... If a person places Abu Hanifa between him and Allah - that is, relies on the fiqh opinion of Abu Hanifa for the worship of Allah - then I hope that he will not have to fear and that he will not be regarded as negligent in the precautions of self-defense.''
(4) Shu'ba Ibnul Hajjaz (160 AH)
Shu'ba Ibnul Hajjaz, the best Imam of Jarh-Ta'dil of the second Hijri century, is famous as Ameerul Mumineen Phil Hadith. He had a deep respect for Imam Abu Hanifa. He recited poems in his praise:
"When people stop us with a fatwa of hard Qiyas, we hit them with the strong pure Qiyas of Abu Hanifa's method."
Shu'bah said about Imam Abu Hanifa:
"By Allah! His perception was good and his memorizing power good.''
Imam Yahya Ibn Mayeen (233 AH) explained the opinion of Shuba Ibn al-Hajjaj regarding the reliability of Abu Hanifa:
"This is Shuba Ibnul Hajjaz, he wrote a letter to Abu Hanifa requesting the narration of the hadith. And Shu'ba to Shu'bai.''
On hearing the news of Imam Abu Hanifa's death, Shuba said:
"With him went the fiqh of Kufa, may Allah have mercy on us and him."
(5) Israel Ibn Yunus Ibn Abi Ishaq Sabii (160 AH)
Another famous Tabi-Tabiyy muhaddith and critic of Kufa who was a contemporary of Imam Abu Hanifa was Israel Ibn Yunus. Bukhari, Muslim and other Muhaddith accepted his hadith. He said:
Numan was a very good person. He used to memorize very well and completely the hadiths that contained Fiqh, he made the utmost inquiries about them and he also knew the Fiqh guidance contained in them very well. His memory, research and knowledge on this subject were amazing. He preserved Fiqh from Hammad ibn Abi Sulaiman and preserved it very well. As a result, the Caliphs, Amirs and Wazirs respected him.
(6) Hasan Ibn Salih (100-169 AH)
Another famous Tabi-Tabiyi of Kufa was Hasan Ibn Salih (100-169 AH). Bukhari (in Adab), Muslim and other muhaddith accepted his hadith. His student the famous Muhaddith Yahya Ibn Adam (203 AH) said, Hasan Ibn Salih said:
Numan Ibn Thabit was a learned scholar, aware of the purity of knowledge. If a hadith from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was found to be authentic on any matter, he would not abandon it and go to another direction.''
(7) Abdullah Ibnul Mubarak (118-181 AH)
One of the best Muhaddis, Faqih, Mujahid, Zahid and Imam Abdullah Ibnul Mubarak Khurasani (118-181 AH) of the second century. He was a student of Imam Abu Hanifa, narrated hadiths from him and followed his views on fiqh. Ismail Ibn Dawud said:
Ibn al-Mubarak always spoke well of Abu Hanifa, spoke of his faithfulness and old age, and praised him.''
Abdullah Ibnul Mubarak used to say:
We will not lie to Allah about ourselves! Our Imam Abu Hanifa on Fiqh and our Imam Sufyan Sawri on Hadith. And when two agree on a matter, we do not care about anyone else against them."... "If Allah had not saved me through Abu Hanifa and Sufyan Sawri, I would have been a common man." "Abu Hanifa was among the people. The best jurist.
Imam Sufyan (Ibn Sa'id Ibn Masrook) Sawri (97-161 AH) was one of the best muhaddith and faqih of Kufa, a contemporary of Imam Abu Hanifa. There were many differences between the two in Aqeedah and Fiqh and there were many misunderstandings. Ibnul Mubarak was a student of both and he highlighted the importance and characteristics of both.
(8) Qazi Abu Yusuf Yaqub Ibn Ibrahim (113-182 AH)
We have said that Abu Yusuf was one of the best muhaddiths and jurisprudents of his time, acknowledged by all. Describing the scope and depth of Imam Abu Hanifa's knowledge of hadith, he said:
"I have not seen anyone more knowledgeable and skilled than Abu Hanifa in interpreting hadiths and in understanding all the instructions of fiqh contained in the hadiths. .... On whatever matter I disagreed with Abu Hanifa, I later thought that Abu Hanifa was more suitable for salvation in the Hereafter. Many times I lean towards hadith, but he was more understanding than me about Saheeh hadith. .... I make dua for Abu Hanifa before making dua for my parents. And I heard Abu Hanifah say, I pray for Hammad with my parents.''
(9) Fudayl Ibn Yad (187 AH)
One of the most famous muhaddis, critics and elders of that time was Imam Fudayl Ibn Yad Khurasani Makki (187H). Bukhari, Muslims and all other Muhaddiths have acknowledged its acceptance. He said:
Abu Hanifa was a famous jurist. His piety was very famous. He was wealthy and noted for generosity. He was very patient in teaching Ilm round the clock day and night. Mashgul used to stay in the night worship. Most of the time he was silent and spoke less. But when a matter of halal and haram came to him, he spoke and could prove the right very well. He ran away from the wealth of the rulers. ... When a matter came to him, he would follow it if there was a Sahih Hadith on it, or like the Companions. Otherwise, he would perform qiyas and he would perform qiyas beautifully.''
(10) Hafs Ibn Ghiyas (195H)
Another famous Tabi-Tabiyi Muhaddith and Faqih of Kufa was Hafs Ibn Ghiyas Nakhi Kufi (195H) who first served as Qazi of Kufa and later Baghdad. Bukhari, Muslim and other Muhaddith accepted his hadith. He said:
"Abu Hanifa's statement on fiqh is finer than hair. No one calls him bad except the ignoramuses.
(11) Muhammad Ibn Khazim of Abu Mu'awiya Dari (113-195 AH)
Kufa's famous Muhaddith Muhammad Ibn Khazim Abu Mu'awiya Dari. Bukhari, Muslim and other Muhaddith accepted his hadith. He said:
"One of the things of being a follower of the Sunnah is to love Abu Hanifa."
(12) Yahya Ibn Said Al-Qattan (197 AH)
After Shuba Ibn al-Hajjaj, one of the two leaders of second-century Ilm hadith and jarh-tadil: Yahya ibn Sa'id al-Qattan and Ibn Mahdi. Both were natives of Basra. Kattan says:
"I will not lie to God! I have not heard a better opinion than that of Abu Hanifa. In most matters, we follow his lead. (His student) Yahya ibn May'een said: Yahya ibn Sa'id followed the Kufis' school of thought regarding fatwa, preferred the sayings of Abu Hanifa from among the Kufis, and followed his opinion.''
(13) Oki Ibnul Jarrah Ibn Malih (197 AH)
Ibnul Jarrah, the famous Muhaddith of Kufa. Imam Ahmad and other Muhaddis considered him as the greatest Muhaddith and Hafizul Hadith of that era. His student Yahya Ibn Mayeen said:
I have not seen any Muhaddith rank above Oki. He used to give fatwa according to Abu Hanifa's opinion. He used to memorize all his hadiths. He heard many hadiths from Abu Hanifa.
From this, it is known that Imam Ooqi not only followed Imam Abu Hanifa's fiqhi, but also considered him reliable in hadiths and memorized all his hadiths.
(14) Abdur Rahman Ibn Mahdi (135-198 AH)
Ibn Mahdi is the other side of Ilam Hadith and Jarh-Tadil of this period. Abdullah son of Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal wrote, I heard from my father that his teacher Ibn Mahdi used to say:
"The beauty of a man's knowledge is that he studies the 'Rai' or school of thought of Abu Hanifa."
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