Imam Abu Hanifa (short life overview) whyhe been murdered by Imam Hussain Makki
taken from http://www.sunnah.org/publication/khulafa_rashideen/life_of_imam_abu_hanifah.htm
The
Life of Imam Abu Hanifah
Nu'man ibn Thabit, 80-150 A.H.
by Maida Malik
Better known as `Imam-e-`Adham' (The Greatest Imam), or by his kunyah `Abu Hanifah', Nu'man ibn Thabit was born in the city of
Kufa (modern day Iraq) in the year 80 A.H (689 A.D).� Born into a family of tradesmen, the Imam's family were of Persian origin as well as descending from the
noble Prophet's (saw) Companion
Salman al-Farsi (ra).� Imam Abu Hanifah's father, Thabit,� had met in Kufa Imam `Ali Ibn Abi Talib (ra) who
made dua for him and his progeny, and
some say that Abu Hanifah was a result of this dua.
�
A hadith given by al-Bukhari and Muslim states that Abu Hurairah (ra) narrated Allah's Messenger (saw) as saying:"If the Religion were
at the Pleiades, even then a person from Persia would have taken hold of it, or
one amongst the Persian descent would surely have found it."� Abu Hurairah (ra) also narrates:"We were sitting in the company of Allah's
Apostle (saw) when Surat al-Jum`a was
revealed to him and when he recited amongst them, (those who were sitting
there) said `Allah's Messenger?' but Allah's Apostle (saw) made no reply, until
he was questioned once, twice or thrice, and there was amongst us Salman the
Persian.� Allah's Apostle (saw) placed his hand on Salman and then
said:"Even if faith were near the Pleiades, a man from amongst these would
surely find it."
�
Imam as-Suyuti a Shafi'i alim
(rh) remarked:"It has been communicated
unanimously that this hadith refers
to Imam Abu Hanifah."
Kufa at the time of the Imam's birth was a great center of knowledge
and learning, with many of the noble Prophet's (saw) Companions (ra) having taken residence there.� Due to the presence of these venerable people
who had engendered so much interest in hadith and riwayat that
practically every house in Kufa had become a center of these disciples and their
disciplines.�
At first, Imam Abu Hanifah was not a student of knowledge.�
However, by coincidence, while one day passing by the house of Sha'bi
(an acclaimed "Great Scholar among the Successors (rh)"),
Abu Hanifah was called in by the shaykh
who mistook him for a student.� "Where
are you going young man?" asked Sha'bi.� Abu
Hanifah named the merchant he was going to see.� "I meant to ask," asked Sha'bi, "Whose classes you attend?"�� "Nobody's," replied the Imam regretfully.� "I see signs of intelligence in you," began
Sha'bi,"you should sit in the company of learned men."�
It was after this encounter that
the young Imam began his quest for knowledge.� Imam
Abu Hanifah acquired knowledge from over four thousand people.� His teachers included many prestigious men
of the time whose sanad went back
to a number of Companions (ra).� He himself was blessed with the meeting of
the Companions: Anas ibn Malik, Abdullah ibn Afwa and Sahl ibn Sa'ad (ra), thus gaining him the rank of being
a Tabi'i (Successor to the Companions).
Amongst Imam Abu Hanifah's shayukh
was Hammad ibn Sulayman, he joined his circle at the age of 22, having already
become a well-known debater and studied with this shaykh until the latter's death, whereupon he took over his majlis
(circle) at the age of forty.� Shu'ba,
a leading muhaddith who knew-by-heart
two thousand traditions was also a teacher of Imam Abu Hanifah.� Shu'ba was
greatly attached to Imam Abu Hanifah
saying: "Just as I know that the sun is bright, I know that learning and Abu
Hanifah are doubles of each other."
The Imam's quest for knowledge inevitably took him to the Holy
Sanctuaries, at a time when Makkah was a busy center for learning.� A number of acknowledged masters of hadith, who had had access to the
Prophet's (saw) Companions (ra) had established their own schools
there.� Of these was `Ata bin Rabah's (rh) school.� `Ata was a famous Tabi'i who
had associated with most of the Companions (ra)
and acquired from this association a status of authority.� He himself claimed to have met two hundred
men who had associated with the Noble Prophet (saw).� The leading Companions
(ra) all acknowledged his
learning.� Abdullah ibn `Umar (ra), son
of the Caliph `Umar (ra) often used to say:"Why do people
come to me when `Ata ibn Abi Rabah is there for them to go to?"� Of the other Muhaddithin of Makkah whose classes the Imam attended was `Ikrimah.�
He was the slave and pupil of Abdullah ibn `Abbas, who educated him with
great care and attention, making him so proficient that he, during his own
lifetime gave Imam Abu Hanifah the
authority to exercise personal judgement and rulings.� "Imam Abu Hanifah was
the first to analyze Islamic jurisprudence, divide it into subjects,
distinguish its issues and determine the range and criteria for analytical
reasoning (qiyas)."
Al-Hafiz al-Kabir Abu Bakr Ahmad al-Harizmi
wrote in his book"Musnad":
`Saif al-Aimma'
reports that when Imam Abu Hanifah
derived a matter from the Qur'an and Hadith, he would not give the answer to
the inquirer unless all of them [his students] confirmed it.� One thousand of Abu Hanifah's disciples
attended all his classes when he taught in the Mosque of Kufa City.� Forty of them were mujtahids.� When he would
find an answer for a matter, he would suggest to his students who would study
it together, and when they reached an agreement of it being consistent with the
Qur'an and Hadith, and with the words of the Sahabah (ra), he would be
delighted and say, "Al-hamdu li'llah wallahu Akbar," and all those who
were present would repeat his words.�
Then he would tell them to write it down.
Ibn `Abd al-Barr relates in"Al-Intiqa'":
`Abd Allah ibn
Ahmad al-Dawraqi said:"Ibn Ma'inn was asked about Abu Hanifah as I was
listening, so he said"He is trustworthy (thiqatun), I never heard
that anyone had weakened him."� No less
than Shu'ba wrote to him [for narrations], and ordered him to narrate hadith.'
�Ibn Hajar said in Kharija ibn al-Salt's notice in"Tahdhib al-Tahdhib":
Ibn Abi
Khaythama said:"If al-Shu'bi narrates from someone and names him, that man is
trustworthy (thiqa) and his narration is used as proof (yuhtajju
bi hadithihi)".
Many well-known shuyukh narrated from Imam Abu Hanifah, to name but a few: al-Thawri,
ibn al-Mubarak, Hammad ibn Zayd and `Abd al-Razzaq (one of Imam al-Bukhari's shaykhs.)� Al-Mizzi in"Tahdhib al-Kamal" names about one hundred names of those who
narrated from Imam Abu Hanifah.
Imam as-Shafi'i (rh) is recorded to have stated:"All men of
fiqh are Abu Hanifah's children" and"I would not have acquired anything of knowledge had it not been for my teacher.� All men of knowledge are children of the ulema of Iraq, who were the disciples of
the ulema of Kufa, and they were the
disciples of Abu Hanifah."
The Hanafi madhhab, entitled after the Imam, spread far-and-wide during the time of the Ottoman
Empire.� Today, more than half of the Muslims
on the earth perform their `ibabadah according to the Hanafi madhhab.� The Hanafi
school has decided court cases in the majority of Islamic lands for the
greater part of Islamic history, including the `Abbasid and Ottoman periods.
Not only was Imam Abu Hanifah's extraordinary mind and knowledge something to be
admired, but so too was his exemplary character and piety.� Al-Dhahabi writes:"Accounts of his piety
and devotion have reached a degree of tawatur
(i.e., an unbroken chain of uncontradicted narrations)."
He was given the title of"The
`Peg'" by some, for his continuous standing in prayer, often reciting the
entire Qur'an in his nightly rakahs.�
He performed the Fajr prayer
with the ablution made for the Isha
prayers for forty years (due to him praying the whole night through).� It is reported that he had recited the whole
Qur'an seven thousand times in the
place where he died.
�
He earned his living through
trade (sending goods to other places), and with the earnings he made, he met
the needs of his students.� He gave much
to charity and every Friday he would distribute twenty gold coins to the poor
for his parents' souls.
In the year 146 A.H, Abu Hanifah
was sent to prison by Mansur, the leader at the time, after the Imam's refusal to state that Mansur was
the rightful khalifa, as well as
refusing the position of presidency of the Supreme Court in recompense.� While in prison, Imam Abu Hanifah was thrashed with a stick.� Mansur repented and sent the Imam money, only to be refused
again.� By now, Imam Abu Hanifah had become well-known and thousands flocked to
meet and seek his opinion wherever he went.�
His imprisonment far from reduced his popularity, and Mansur realized
that he would have to treat the Imam
carefully, thus he allowed him to teach while still in prison.� Mansur finally decided to do away with the
great Imam and had him poisoned.� Abu Hanifah, feeling the effects of the
poison, bent down in prayer and died in the month of Rajab.� News of the Imam's death reached far-and-wide, and thousands gathered at the
prison.� The city Qadi washed his body, and kept repeating:"By God, you were the
greatest faqih and the most pious man
of our time ..."
By the time the bathing was
finished, so many people had assembled that the funeral prayer was performed
attended by fifty thousand people.
The Great Imam died in Baghdad in 150 A.H at the age of seventy.� May Allah (swt) be pleased with him.� Ameen.
taken from http://www.inter-islam.org/Biographies/4imam.htm
THE
FOUR GREAT IMAAMS
(Rahmatullaahi Alaihim)
Contents
IMAAM ABU HANIFAH (R.A.)
IMAAM MAALIK (R.A.)
IMAAM SHAFI’EE (R.A.)
IMAAM AHMAD (R.A.)
IMAAM ABU HANIFAH (R.A.)
Imaam of Imaams; Lamp of the Ummah; Leader of the Jurists and
Mujtahideen; Hafize-Hadith Hadhrat Imaam Abu Hanifah (R.A) was a prestigious
Mujtahid, Muhaddith, authoritative person, truthfully spoken, abstinent,
wise, and pious.
A great many Muhadditheen and Hanafi, Shafi’ee, Maaliki and Hanbali Ulamaa are in unison with regards to Imaam Sahib’s strengths and virtues. Thousands of literary works have been compiled by Imaam Abu Hanifah (R. A.). Amongst the Imaams ‘Imaam-e-Aazam’ (Greatest of the Imaams ) was the address of Imaam Abu Hanifah (RA.) alone. A great group of Ulamaa and Muhadditheen remained the followers of Imaam Abu Hanifah (RA.), and more than half of the Ummah of Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam are, till this day, followers also.
He was born in the era of the Companions
.
Abstinent, God fearing, generous, knowledgeable and virtuous are all attributes
collectively found of Imaam Abu Hanifah (R.A.).
His origination is in Kufa, which at the time, was the greatest centre of ahaadith. As, in Kufa thousands of Companions
of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam had resided there; more than one
thousand jurists were born in Kufa of which one hundred and fifty were
Companions of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Kufa, was where
the ranked Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud 
and Hadhrat Abu Huraira
had previously resided.
Imaam Sahib’s upbringing and education was achieved in such a reputed educational centre, and he reaped much advantage from the Ulamaa of Haramain.
LINEAGE :Nu’maan ibn Thabit Ibn Zuta Ibn Maah\ lbn Marzubaan. (Difference of opinion lies only in choice of wording not name.)
YEAR & PLACE of BIRTH:80 A.H. Kufa, Iraq.
RENOWNED ADDRESS : Imaam-e-Aazam \ Abu Hanifah (R. A.).
SPECIAL ATTRIBUTE: It has been unanimously agreed that Imaam Abu Hanifah (RA.) was a Taabi‘ee. There are various differing quotes concerning the number of Companions seen by Imaam Sahib. Sahib-e-Ikmaal narrates a total of 26, whilst Hafiz Ibn Hajr quotes 8. The most opposed view is that of Hafiz Almizzi whom has stated 72 Companions (R. A.).
ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE:Primary, basic Islamic teachings were acquired as a child, which were short lived due to Imaam Abu Hanifah’ s father’s death. Subsequently, he supported the family business.
MEANS OF LIVELIHOOD: Silk Merchant.
ADVANCEMENT OF KNOWLEDGE: At the age of 22 years much spare time was spent in debating. In this period of time Imaam Sha’bee (R. A.) advised Imaam Abu Hanifah ( R.A.) to associate himself with a scholar.
Being unable to answer a query regarding the correct Sunnah procedure of divorce, Imaam Abu Hanifah began to join the gatherings of lmam Hammad (R. A), (student of Hadhrat Anas (RA.) ), disposing of his works as a debator. For the next ten consecutive years he remained the student of Imaam Hammad (R.A.). After two years, for a period of two months Imaam Hammad took a sudden leave to Basra ( due to his relative’s death) leaving Imaam Abu Hanifah (R. A.) to continue his works in Kufa. Imaam Abu Hanifah (R. A.) remained Imaam Hammad’s student for a further 8 years.
MOST EMINENT TEACHER OF JURISPRUDENCE:
Imaam Hammad (R A)
MOST EMINENT TEACHER OF AHAADEETH:
Imaam Aamir Sha’bi (R. A.).
NO. 0F AHAADEETH ACQUIRED:
4,000 Ahaadeeth in which 2,000 Ahaadeeth from Imaam Hammad ( RA.)alone.
3 PROMINENT PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH IMAAM ABU HANIFAH ACCEPTED AHAADEETH:
1).Since the initial day of hearing the hadith it is remembered in its correct form to the very time of narration.
2). The hadith must have been projected by the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and narrated onwards via wholly reliable persons.
3). Any Ahaadeeth which contradicted the Qur’an or other famous Ahaadeeth were unacceptable.
A SMALL GLIMPSE OF IMAAM ABU HANIFA’S (R.A.) TEACHERS: Aamir Ibn Shurahbeel, Sha’abi Kufi, Alqama Ibn Marthad, Ziyaad Ibn Ilaqa, Adi Ibn Thabit, Qataada Basri, Muhammed Ibn Munkadir Madni, Simaak Ibn Harb, Qays Ibn Muslim Kufi, Mansoor Ibn Umar etc. etc.
A SMALL GLIMPSE OF IMAAM ABU HANIFA’S (R.A.) STUDENTS: Qazi Abu Yusuf, Muhammad Ibn Hasan, Zufar Ibn Huzayl, Hammad Ibn Abu Hanifah, Abu Ismat Mugheera Ibn Miqsam,Yunus Ibn Is‘haaq, Abu Bakr Ibn Ayyaash, Abdullah Ibn Mubarak, Ali Ibn Aasim, Ja’ far Ibn Awn, Ubaydullah Ibn Musa etc. etc.
IMAAM ABU HANIFAH’S (R.A.) LITERARY WORKS: ‘Kitaab-ul-Aathar’ - compiled from a total of 70,000 Ahaadeeth, ‘Aalim-wal-muta ‘allim’, ‘Fiqhe Akbar’, ‘Jaami’ul Masaneed’, ‘Kitaabul Rad alal Qaadiriyah’ etc. etc.
IMAAM ABU HANIFAH’S CHARACTERISTICS:
a). Impartiality: Imaam Abu Hanifah (R. A.) has never accepted a favour from anyone and so was never indebted to anyone.
b). Humanitarian ways& generosity: On seeing Imaam Abu Hanifah (R. A.) a passer by avoided him and took a different path. When Imaam Abu Hanifah (R.A.) questioned as to why he did so, he replied that he was ashamed of himself as he was Imaam Abu Hanifah’s debtor of 10 000 Dirhams. The man’s humbleness over took Imaam Abu Hanifah (R.A.) and so he forgave the repayment of the debt.
c). Kind heartedness: Once, whilst sitting in a Masjid Imaam Sahib learnt of someone who had fallen from a roof. Immediately, Imaam Sahib departed from the gathering, barefooted, and ran to the place of accident. Until the injured recovered, Imaam Sahib paid daily visits to nurse him.
d). Disposition : Imaam Sahib would never speak unless it was necessary to do so. Someone mentioned before Sufyan Thawri (R.A.) that he had never heard Imaam Sahib back biting. Sufyan (R.A.) replied, "Abu Hanifah (R.A.) is not such a fool that he will destroy his own good deeds."
e). Abstinence & God Fearing Ways:
i). Sharik has stated, "I have never once observed Imaam Abu Hanifah reposing within the nights hours."
ii). Abu Nu’aym states, "Even before observing salaah Imaam Hanifah (R. A.) would weep and supplicate before Allah."
iii). There is no such Surah within the Qur’an which I have not recited during Nafl prayers." - Abu Hanifah (R. A.)
iv). Kharija lbn Mus’ab has stated that 4 religious leaders have completed the recitation of the entire Qur’an in one rakaah of salaah alone. Uthmaan Ibn Affaan (RA.), Tameen Daari (RA.), Sa’eed Ibn Jubair (R. A.) and Imaam Abu Hanifah (R. A.).
v). There was once acknowledgment of a stolen sheep. Imaam Abu Hanifah inquired and researched as to how long a sheep lives. After finding out, he never ate sheep for 7 years, fearing that the meat may be from the stolen sheep.
vi). For 40 consecutive years Imaam Sahib observed a nocturnal practice of performing Fajr salaah with the ablution of Esha.
NO. 0F QUR’AN’S COMPLETED IN RAMADHAAN : 60
NO. OF PILGRIMAGES OBSERVED IN LIFETIME : 55
TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS:
Trial No.1: During the reign of Ibn Hubaira Imaam Abu Hanifah ( R.A.) rejected his request of the post of Chief Justice. (As Imaam Sahib did not want to collaborate with the corrupt).
Consequence of Rejection : Tormented by passing through the city mounted upon a horse, whereby he was whipped 10 times a day for eleven consecutive days.
Trial No.2: During the reign of Abu Jaafar Mansoor again the above request was pledged, yet again rejected.
Consequence of Rejection No.2: Imprisoned and violently beaten.
Prolongation of Trial: Khalifa Abu Ja’far Mansoor again urged that Imaam Sahib should reconsider. Finally, Imaam Sahib swore by Allah that he would not accept.
Consequence: Imaam Sahib was lashed, shirtless 30 times, drawing blood that seeped to his heels. He was again imprisoned, with restricted rations for 15 days, after which he was forcefully made to drink a poison that led to his martyrdom.
STATE OF DEATH:In the state of prostration.
AGE & DATE OF DEATH: 70 years of age : 150 A.H. in the month of Rajab. (others have stated Sha’baan and Shawwaal also).
BURIAL: Six Janaazah salaah were conducted in order to cater for more than
50,000 people whom had collected. His son, and only child; Hammad, lead the last Janazah salaah.
==============x=x=x=x=xx=====================
taken from http://www.inter-islam.org/Biographies/4imam.htm
(Rahmatullaahi Alaihim)
Contents
IMAAM ABU HANIFAH (R.A.)
IMAAM MAALIK (R.A.)
IMAAM SHAFI’EE (R.A.)
IMAAM AHMAD (R.A.)
IMAAM ABU HANIFAH (R.A.)
A great many Muhadditheen and Hanafi, Shafi’ee, Maaliki and Hanbali Ulamaa are in unison with regards to Imaam Sahib’s strengths and virtues. Thousands of literary works have been compiled by Imaam Abu Hanifah (R. A.). Amongst the Imaams ‘Imaam-e-Aazam’ (Greatest of the Imaams ) was the address of Imaam Abu Hanifah (RA.) alone. A great group of Ulamaa and Muhadditheen remained the followers of Imaam Abu Hanifah (RA.), and more than half of the Ummah of Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam are, till this day, followers also.
He was born in the era of the Companions
.
Abstinent, God fearing, generous, knowledgeable and virtuous are all attributes
collectively found of Imaam Abu Hanifah (R.A.).
His origination is in Kufa, which at the time, was the greatest centre of ahaadith. As, in Kufa thousands of Companions
of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam had resided there; more than one
thousand jurists were born in Kufa of which one hundred and fifty were
Companions of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Kufa, was where
the ranked Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud
and Hadhrat Abu Huraira
had previously resided.
Imaam Sahib’s upbringing and education was achieved in such a reputed educational centre, and he reaped much advantage from the Ulamaa of Haramain.
LINEAGE :Nu’maan ibn Thabit Ibn Zuta Ibn Maah\ lbn Marzubaan. (Difference of opinion lies only in choice of wording not name.)
YEAR & PLACE of BIRTH:80 A.H. Kufa, Iraq.
RENOWNED ADDRESS : Imaam-e-Aazam \ Abu Hanifah (R. A.).
SPECIAL ATTRIBUTE: It has been unanimously agreed that Imaam Abu Hanifah (RA.) was a Taabi‘ee. There are various differing quotes concerning the number of Companions seen by Imaam Sahib. Sahib-e-Ikmaal narrates a total of 26, whilst Hafiz Ibn Hajr quotes 8. The most opposed view is that of Hafiz Almizzi whom has stated 72 Companions (R. A.).
ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE:Primary, basic Islamic teachings were acquired as a child, which were short lived due to Imaam Abu Hanifah’ s father’s death. Subsequently, he supported the family business.
MEANS OF LIVELIHOOD: Silk Merchant.
ADVANCEMENT OF KNOWLEDGE: At the age of 22 years much spare time was spent in debating. In this period of time Imaam Sha’bee (R. A.) advised Imaam Abu Hanifah ( R.A.) to associate himself with a scholar.
Being unable to answer a query regarding the correct Sunnah procedure of divorce, Imaam Abu Hanifah began to join the gatherings of lmam Hammad (R. A), (student of Hadhrat Anas (RA.) ), disposing of his works as a debator. For the next ten consecutive years he remained the student of Imaam Hammad (R.A.). After two years, for a period of two months Imaam Hammad took a sudden leave to Basra ( due to his relative’s death) leaving Imaam Abu Hanifah (R. A.) to continue his works in Kufa. Imaam Abu Hanifah (R. A.) remained Imaam Hammad’s student for a further 8 years.
MOST EMINENT TEACHER OF JURISPRUDENCE:
Imaam Hammad (R A)
MOST EMINENT TEACHER OF AHAADEETH:
Imaam Aamir Sha’bi (R. A.).
NO. 0F AHAADEETH ACQUIRED:
4,000 Ahaadeeth in which 2,000 Ahaadeeth from Imaam Hammad ( RA.)alone.
3 PROMINENT PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH IMAAM ABU HANIFAH ACCEPTED AHAADEETH:
1).Since the initial day of hearing the hadith it is remembered in its correct form to the very time of narration.
2). The hadith must have been projected by the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and narrated onwards via wholly reliable persons.
3). Any Ahaadeeth which contradicted the Qur’an or other famous Ahaadeeth were unacceptable.
A SMALL GLIMPSE OF IMAAM ABU HANIFA’S (R.A.) TEACHERS: Aamir Ibn Shurahbeel, Sha’abi Kufi, Alqama Ibn Marthad, Ziyaad Ibn Ilaqa, Adi Ibn Thabit, Qataada Basri, Muhammed Ibn Munkadir Madni, Simaak Ibn Harb, Qays Ibn Muslim Kufi, Mansoor Ibn Umar etc. etc.
A SMALL GLIMPSE OF IMAAM ABU HANIFA’S (R.A.) STUDENTS: Qazi Abu Yusuf, Muhammad Ibn Hasan, Zufar Ibn Huzayl, Hammad Ibn Abu Hanifah, Abu Ismat Mugheera Ibn Miqsam,Yunus Ibn Is‘haaq, Abu Bakr Ibn Ayyaash, Abdullah Ibn Mubarak, Ali Ibn Aasim, Ja’ far Ibn Awn, Ubaydullah Ibn Musa etc. etc.
IMAAM ABU HANIFAH’S (R.A.) LITERARY WORKS: ‘Kitaab-ul-Aathar’ - compiled from a total of 70,000 Ahaadeeth, ‘Aalim-wal-muta ‘allim’, ‘Fiqhe Akbar’, ‘Jaami’ul Masaneed’, ‘Kitaabul Rad alal Qaadiriyah’ etc. etc.
IMAAM ABU HANIFAH’S CHARACTERISTICS:
a). Impartiality: Imaam Abu Hanifah (R. A.) has never accepted a favour from anyone and so was never indebted to anyone.
b). Humanitarian ways& generosity: On seeing Imaam Abu Hanifah (R. A.) a passer by avoided him and took a different path. When Imaam Abu Hanifah (R.A.) questioned as to why he did so, he replied that he was ashamed of himself as he was Imaam Abu Hanifah’s debtor of 10 000 Dirhams. The man’s humbleness over took Imaam Abu Hanifah (R.A.) and so he forgave the repayment of the debt.
c). Kind heartedness: Once, whilst sitting in a Masjid Imaam Sahib learnt of someone who had fallen from a roof. Immediately, Imaam Sahib departed from the gathering, barefooted, and ran to the place of accident. Until the injured recovered, Imaam Sahib paid daily visits to nurse him.
d). Disposition : Imaam Sahib would never speak unless it was necessary to do so. Someone mentioned before Sufyan Thawri (R.A.) that he had never heard Imaam Sahib back biting. Sufyan (R.A.) replied, "Abu Hanifah (R.A.) is not such a fool that he will destroy his own good deeds."
e). Abstinence & God Fearing Ways:
i). Sharik has stated, "I have never once observed Imaam Abu Hanifah reposing within the nights hours."
ii). Abu Nu’aym states, "Even before observing salaah Imaam Hanifah (R. A.) would weep and supplicate before Allah."
iii). There is no such Surah within the Qur’an which I have not recited during Nafl prayers." - Abu Hanifah (R. A.)
iv). Kharija lbn Mus’ab has stated that 4 religious leaders have completed the recitation of the entire Qur’an in one rakaah of salaah alone. Uthmaan Ibn Affaan (RA.), Tameen Daari (RA.), Sa’eed Ibn Jubair (R. A.) and Imaam Abu Hanifah (R. A.).
v). There was once acknowledgment of a stolen sheep. Imaam Abu Hanifah inquired and researched as to how long a sheep lives. After finding out, he never ate sheep for 7 years, fearing that the meat may be from the stolen sheep.
vi). For 40 consecutive years Imaam Sahib observed a nocturnal practice of performing Fajr salaah with the ablution of Esha.
NO. 0F QUR’AN’S COMPLETED IN RAMADHAAN : 60
NO. OF PILGRIMAGES OBSERVED IN LIFETIME : 55
TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS:
Trial No.1: During the reign of Ibn Hubaira Imaam Abu Hanifah ( R.A.) rejected his request of the post of Chief Justice. (As Imaam Sahib did not want to collaborate with the corrupt).
Consequence of Rejection : Tormented by passing through the city mounted upon a horse, whereby he was whipped 10 times a day for eleven consecutive days.
Trial No.2: During the reign of Abu Jaafar Mansoor again the above request was pledged, yet again rejected.
Consequence of Rejection No.2: Imprisoned and violently beaten.
Prolongation of Trial: Khalifa Abu Ja’far Mansoor again urged that Imaam Sahib should reconsider. Finally, Imaam Sahib swore by Allah that he would not accept.
Consequence: Imaam Sahib was lashed, shirtless 30 times, drawing blood that seeped to his heels. He was again imprisoned, with restricted rations for 15 days, after which he was forcefully made to drink a poison that led to his martyrdom.
STATE OF DEATH:In the state of prostration.
AGE & DATE OF DEATH: 70 years of age : 150 A.H. in the month of Rajab. (others have stated Sha’baan and Shawwaal also).
BURIAL: Six Janaazah salaah were conducted in order to cater for more than
50,000 people whom had collected. His son, and only child; Hammad, lead the last Janazah salaah.
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