Biography of Imam Abu Hanifa R.A
The Authentic Hadith and Sharh # 1
Book 031, Number 6177: (Sahih Muslim)
Abu Huraira reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: If the din were at the Pleiades, "EVEN THEN A PERSON FROM PERSIA" would have taken hold of it, or one amongst the Persian descent would have surely found it.
Translation: I say this hadith has Basharah (glad tiding) for Imam Abu Hanifa (Rahimahullah) [Tabiyiz as-Sahifa bi Manaqib Abi Hanifa, Page # 31-33]
Then he also said:
فهذا أصل صحيح يعتمد عليه في البشارة والفضيلة نظير المحدثين الذين في الإمامين ويستغنى به عن الخبر الموضوع
Translation: (al-Dhahabi said): Abu Hanifah "THE GREATEST IMAM (imam al-a‘zam)" the jurist of Iraq, Nu‘man ibn Thabit ibn Zuta al-Taymi (who were their masters) al-Kufi. He was born in 80 AH and saw Anas ibn Malik more than once when he came to them in Kufa. Ibn Sa‘d has narrated this from Sayf ibn Jabir that he heard Abu Hanifah say this. He narrated from ‘Ata’a, Nafi‘, ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Hurmuz al-A‘raj, ‘Adi ibn Thabit, Salamah ibn Kuhayl, Abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn ‘Ali, Qatadah, ‘Amr ibn Dinar, Abu Ishaq and many others. Zufar ibn Hudhayl, Dawud al-Ta’i, Qadi Abu Yusuf, Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, Asad ibn ‘Amr, Hasan ibn Ziyad al-Lu’lui, Nuh al-Jami‘, Abu Muti‘ al-Balkhi and others learned fiqh from him. He learned fiqh from Hammad ibn Abu Sulayman and others. Waki‘, Yazid ibn Harun, Sa‘d ibn al-Sult, Abu ‘Asim, ‘Abd al-Razzaq, ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Musa, Abu Na‘im, Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Muqri and others narrated from him. He was an imam, pious, knowledgeable, someone who practiced, someone who indulged in great worship and a man of great ranking; he would not accept the sultan’s gifts but would trade and earn a living.
Dirar ibn Sard said, Yazid ibn Harun was asked, ‘Who is a greater faqih, al-Thawri or Abu Hanifah?’ He replied, ‘Abu Hanifah was a greater faqih and Sufyan was greater in remembering hadith.’ Ibn al-Mubarak said, ‘Abu Hanifah was the greatest faqih among the people.’ Al-Shafi‘i said, ‘People are children to Abu Hanifah in fiqh.’ Yazid said, ‘I never saw anyone more god fearing and more intelligent than Abu Hanifah.’ Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Qasim ibn Mihraz narrated from Yahya ibn Ma‘in who said, ‘There is no issue with him; he was not accused of anything. Yazid ibn ‘Umar ibn Hubayrah imposed on him to take up the judiciary but he refused to be qadi.’ Abu Dawud (may Allah mercy him) said, ‘Imam Abu Hanifah was an imam.’
Reference: Imam Dhahabi,Tazkarra Hufaaz, Chapter 163, Page: 168-169 Click Here for Scanned Page (193)
From Leading Books of Jarh Wa Tadil
Blessings of Hazarth Ali R.A
Translation: Isma‘il ibn Hammad ibn Abu Hanifah informed us, ‘Nu‘man ibn Thabit ibn al-Marzaban was from among the free people of Persia. I swear by Allah, we were never enslaved. My grandfather was born in the eightieth year. Thabit(Father of Abu Hanifa) went to ‘Ali when he was small and he prayed for barakah for him and his children(future). We hope to see Allah accept ‘Ali’s (may Allah be pleased with him) prayer for us…’
References
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 395 Click Here for Scanned Page (194)
2) Imam Mizzi, Tahzeeb ul Kamal, Volume 29, Page No: 423 Click Here for Scanned Page (200)
3)Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Tahdhib ut Tahdhib, Volume No.10, Page No. 401(Online) and Volume 10, Page 449 Click Here for Scanned Page (210)
4) Imam Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma', Narrator no: 771, page 376
Imam Abu Hanifa R.A Thiqa in Hadith
قال محمد بن سعد العوفي: سمعت يحيى بن معين يقول: كان أبو حنيفة ثقة لا يحدث بالحديث إلا بما يحفظه، ولا يحدث بما لا يحفظ
Translation: Muhammad Sa‘d al-‘Uwfi said, I heard Yahya ibn Ma‘in say, ‘Abu Hanifah was reliable (thiqah), he did not narrate a hadith except that which he remembered and did not narrate that which he did not.’
References:
1)Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 395 Click Here for Scanned Page (194)
2) Imam Mizzi, Tahzeeb ul Kamal, Volume 29, Page No: 424 Click Here for Scanned Page (201)
3)Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Tahdhib ut Tahdhib, Volume No.10, Page No. 401(Online) and Volume No. 10, Page No. 450 Click Here for Scanned Page (211)
References:
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 395 Click Here for Scanned Page (194)
2) Imam Mizzi, Tahzeeb ul Kamal, Volume 29, Page No: 424 Click Here for Scanned Page (201)
قال صالح بن محمد الأسدي عن بن معين كان أبو حنيفة ثقة في الحديث وقال أبو وهب ومحمد بن مزاحم سمعت بن المبارك يقول أفقه الناس أبو حنيفة ما رأيت في الفقه مثله
Translation: Salih bin Muhammad al-Asadi narrates from (Yahya) bin Ma’een who said: Abu Hanifa is “THIQA IN HADITH” Abu Wahb and Muhammad bin Mazaham said that they heard Imam Ibn al-Mubarak say: Abu Hanifa is a greater faqih than all people and I have not seen anyone of his match in Fiqh
3) Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Tahdhib ut Tahdhib, Volume No.10, Page No. 401, Narrator no: 819(Online) and Volume No. 10, Page No. 450 Click Here for Scanned Page (211)
About Narrator Salih bin Muhammad al asadi, Imam Dhahabi said
At another Place he says
Reference: Imam dhahabi Sayyir Al Alaam An Nubala Volume 24, Page 14
Note: Some ignorant people, try to reject this Sahi quote saying, there is no sanad in it. Here it is what Imam Mizzi mentions right in the start of his book Tahzeeb ul Kamal
“That in which we did not mention its isnad between us and its speaker: that from them in the form of certainty (sighat al-jazm) [i.e. where he uses the active tense, like “he said”, “he narrated”], it is that which we know of no harm in its isnad from its speaker from whom it is related; and that thereof in the in the form of uncertainty (sighat al-tamrid) [i.e. using the passive tense, like “it was said”, “it was narrated”], then probably there is a problem in its isnad upto its speaker...” [Tahzeeb ul Kamal, volume 1, Page no: 153]
So according to Imam Mizzi, above quote is authentic. Hence, it is clear from al-Mizzi's relation of above narration in his Tahzeeb al-Kamal, followed by al-Dhahabi in his Siyar Alam al Nubala and Imam Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani in Tahdhib al-Tahdhib i.e opinion of Yahya ibn Ma'in is that Abu Hanifah is trustworthy.
Dream of Imam Abu Hanifa R.A
شعيب بن أيوب الصريفيني، حدثنا أبويحيى الحماني، سمعت أبا حنيفة يقول: رأيت رؤيا أفزعتني، رأيت كأني أنبش قبر النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، فأتيت البصرة، فأمرت رجلا يسأل محمد بن سيرين فسأله، فقال: هذا رجل ينبش أخبار رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
Translation: Shu‘ayb ibn Ayyub al-Sarifini said, Abu Yahya al-Himmani narrated to us, ‘I heard Abu Hanifah say, “I saw a dream that scared me. I saw I was digging up the grave of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). I came to Basrah and ordered a man to ask Muhammad ibn Sirin and he asked him. He said, ‘This man shall uncover the hadiths of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).’”’
References:
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 398 Click Here for Scanned Page (195)
2) Imam Mizzi, Tahzeeb ul Kamal, Volume 29, Page No: 427 Click Here for Scanned Page (202)
3) Imam Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma', Narrator no: 771, page 377
4) Imam Dhahabi, Manaqib al Imam Abi Hanifa lidh Dhahabi, Page 36 Click Here for Scanned Page (217)
Priority for Imam Abu Hanifa R.A
وروى نوح الجامع، عن أبي حنيفة أنه قال: ما جاء عن الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم، فعلى الرأس والعين، وما جاء عن الصحابة اخترنا، وما كان من غير ذلك، فهم رجال ونحن رجال.
Translation: Nuh al-Jami‘ narrates from Abu Hanifah that he said, ‘What is from the Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace), then that will gladly be given priority (‘ala al-ra’s wa al-‘ayn); what comes from the Companions, we shall choose, and what is apart from that, then they are men and we are men.’
References
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 401 Click Here for Scanned Page (197)
In another report it is said: Book of Allah, From Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him), Companions........
2) Imam Mizzi, Tahzeeb ul Kamal, Volume 29, Page No: 443 Click Here for Scanned Page (209)
3) Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Tahdhib ut Tahdhib, Volume No.10, Page No. 402 (Online) and Volume No. 10, Page No. 451 Click Here for Scanned Page (212)
Imam Ibn Mubarak
References
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 398 Click Here for Scanned Page (195)
2) Imam Mizzi, Tahzeeb ul Kamal, Volume 29, Page No: 428 Click Here for Scanned Page (203)
3) Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Tahdhib ut Tahdhib, Volume No.10, Page No. 401(Online) and Volume No. 10, Page No. 450 Click Here for Scanned Page (211)
وعن ابن المبارك قال: ما رأيت رجلا أو قر في مجلسه، ولا أحسن سمتا وحلما من أبي حنيفة.
Translation: Ibn al-Mubarak narrates, ‘I have never seen a man commanding so much respect in his gathering, and nor more beautiful in manners and gentleness than Abu Hanifah…’
Reference: Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 400 Click Here for Scanned Page (197)
وقال الفقيه أبو عبد الله الصيمري: لم يقبل العهد بالقضاء، فضرب وحبس، ومات في السجن. وروى حيان بن موسى المروزي، قال: سئل ابن المبارك: مالك أفقه، أو أبو حنيفة ؟ قال: أبو حنيفة. وقال الخريبي: ما يقع في أبي حنيفة إلا حاسد
Translation: The jurist Abu ‘Abd Allah al-Saymari said, ‘He did not accept the position of qadi, so he was beaten, imprisoned and died in jail.’ Hayyan ibn Musa al-Marwazi said that Ibn al-Mubarak was asked, ‘Is Malik a greater jurist or Abu Hanifah?’ He replied, ‘Abu Hanifah.’ Al-Khuraybi said, ‘Only the jealous or ignorant disparages Abu Hanifah.’
Reference: Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 402 Click Here for Scanned Page (198)
وقال ابن المبارك: أبو حنيفة أفقه الناس
Translation: “Ibn al-Mubarak said, ‘Abu Hanifah is the greatest faqih amongst the people.’
References
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala Volume 6, Page No: 403 Click Here for Scanned Page (199)
2) Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Tahdhib ut Tahdhib, Volume No.10, Page No. 401 (Online) and Volume No. 10, Page No. 450 Click Here for Scanned Page (211)
Imam Abdullah Ibn Mubarak couplets on Imam Abu Hanifa r.a
رأيت أبا حنيفة كل يوم يزيد نبالة ويزيد خيرا ... وينطق بالصواب ويصطفيه إذا ما قال أهل الجور جورا ... يقايس من يقايسه بلب فمن ذا تجعلون له نظيرا ... كفانا فقد حماد وكانت مصيبتنا به أمرا كبيرا ... فرد شماتة الأعداء عنا وأبدى بعده علما كثيرا ... رأيت أبا حنيفة حين يؤتى ويطلب علمه بحرا غزيرا ... إذا ما المشكلات تدافعها ... رجال العلم كان بها بصيرا
Translation: I've seen Imam Abu Hanifa on a daily basis he increases in nobility and in goodness he speaks the truth and that alone he chooses, When the tyrants speak with oppression he engages them with academic proofs using acumen who will you put for him as a comparison, The loss of Hammaad was a sufficient great calamity for us However, he has averted the taunting of the enemies from us, After him, he manifested a great deal of knowledge I've seen Abu Hanifa when he was brought and his knowledge was sought, he had a deep ocean of knowledge, When such intricacies come up which scholars cannot give solutions toImam Abu Hanifa has much insight in it
Reference: Imam Mizzi, Tahzeeb ul Kamal, Volume 29, Page No: 441 Click Here for Scanned Page (208)
ابْنَ الْمُبَارَكِ، يَقُولُ: «إِنْ كَانَ أَحَدٌ يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَقُولَ بِرَأْيِهِ، فَأَبُو حَنِيفَةَ
Translation: Ibn al-Mubarak said: If there is any person whose opinion is worthy of being followed, it is that of Imam Abu Hanifa
Reference: Imam Dhahabi, Manaqib al Imam Abi Hanifa lidh Dhahabi, Page 31 Click Here for Scanned Page (215)
عنَ عَبْدَانَ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ ابْنَ الْمُبَارَكِ، يَقُولُ: «إِذَا سَمِعْتُهُمْ يَذْكُرُونَ أَبَا حَنِيفَةَ بِسُوءٍ سَاءَنِي ذَلِكَ، وَأَخَافُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَقْتَ مِنَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى
Translation: Abdaan says that he heard Ibn Mubarak r.a saying, “When I hear people speaking ill of Imam Abu Hanifa, I become displeased and I fear the displeasure of Allah on them.”
Reference: Imam Dhahabi, Manaqib al Imam Abi Hanifa lidh Dhahabi, Page 36 Click Here for Scanned Page (217)
ابْنَ الْمُبَارَكِ، يَقُولُ: «كَانَ أَبُو حَنِيفَةَ آيَةً
Ibn al-Mubarak r.a praised Imam Abu Hanifa r.a
Translation: He(Ibn al Mubarak) called him(Abu hanifa) a "sign of Allah(Ayah)"
Reference: Imam Dhahabi, Manaqib al Imam Abi Hanifa lidh Dhahabi, Page 30 Click Here for Scanned Page (214)
وَقَالَ حِبَّانُ بْنُ مُوسَى: سُئِلَ ابْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ: " أَمَالِكٌ أَفْقَهُ أَمْ أَبُو حَنِيفَةَ؟ ، فَقَالَ: أَبُو حَنِيفَةَ "
Translation: Hibban ibn Musa said: Ibn al-Mubarak r.a was asked, “Who is more knowledgeable in fiqh, Malik or Abu Hanifa?” He replied: “Abu Hanifa!”
Reference: Imam Dhahabi, Manaqib al Imam Abi Hanifa lidh Dhahabi, Page 32 Click Here for Scanned Page (216)
Imam Amash R.A
وروى عن الاعمش أنه سئل عن مسألة، فقال: إنما يحسن هذا النعمان بن ثابت الخزاز، وأظنه بورك له في علمه
Translation: It has been narrated from A‘mash that he was asked regarding an issue, so he said, ‘Only Nu‘man ibn Thabit al-Khazzaz would be able to answer that expertly. I think he was blessed in his knowledge.’
Reference: Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 403 Click Here for Scanned Page (199)
Imam Shafai R.A
Translation: Muhammad ibn Ayyub al-Duris said Ahmad ibn al-Sabah narrated to us, ‘I heard al-Shafi‘i say that Malik was asked, “Did you see Abu Hanifah?” He replied, “Yes, I saw a man if he were to speak to you regarding this pillar that he will make it gold then it would happen through his proofs.”’
References
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 399 Click Here for Scanned Page (196)
2) Imam Mizzi, Tahzeeb ul Kamal, Volume 29, Page No: 429 Click Here for Scanned Page (204)
3) Imam Dhahabi, Manaqib al Imam Abi Hanifa lidh Dhahabi, Page 30-31 Click Here for Scanned Page (214) and (215)
وقال الشافعي: الناس في الفقه عيال على أبي حنيفة. قلت: الامامة في الفقه ودقائقه مسلمة إلى هذا الامام. وهذا أمر لا شك فيه
Translation: Al-Shafi‘i said, ‘People are children to Abu Hanifah in fiqh.’ I (Imam Hafiz al-Dhahabi) say: leadership (imamat) in fiqh and its subtleties is resigned to this imam. And this is an issue in which there is no doubt.’
References
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 403 Click Here for Scanned Page (199)
2) Imam Mizzi, Tahzeeb ul Kamal, Volume 29, Page No: 433 Click Here for Scanned Page (205)
3) Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Tahdhib ut Tahdhib, Volume No.10, Page No. 402(Online) and Volume No. 10, Page No. 450 Click Here for Scanned Page (211)
4) Imam Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma', Narrator no: 771, page 378
People love to quote Tarikh al Baghdad to Malign Imam Abu Hanifa [Through Weak and Fabricated chain], here it is with Sahih Sanad
Famous Student of Imam Abu Hanifa r.a i.e Imam Muhammed
حدثني الحسن بن محمد الخلال قال أنبأنا على بن عمرو الجريري ان على بن محمد النخعي حدثهم قال نا احمد بن حماد بن سفيان قال سمعت المزني يقول سمعت الشافعي يقول امن الناس على في الفقة محمد بن الحسن
Translation: Al-Hasan ibn Muhammad al-Khallal narrated to me: ‘Ali ibn ‘Amr al-Hariri reported to me that ‘Ali ibn Muhammad al-Nakha‘i narrated to them: Ahmad ibn Hammad ibn Sufyan narrated to us: I heard al-Muzani say: I heard al-Shafi‘i say: “The most fortunate of people upon me in fiqh was Muhammad ibn al-Hasan.”
Reference: Tarikh Baghdad Volume 2, Page: 567 Click Here for Scanned Page (220)
All the narrators in the chain are thiqah
According to al-Khatib
1) Al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali Abu Muhammad al-Khallal is thiqa
Reference: Tarikh Baghdad Volume 8, Page no: 454
2) ‘Ali ibn ‘Amr ibn Sahl Abu l-Husayn al-Hariri is thiqah according to al-‘Atiqi
Reference: Tarikh Baghdad Volume 13, Page no: 470
3) Ali ibn Muhammad ibn al-Husayn Abu l-Qasim al-Nakha‘i known as “Ibn Kas” (d. 324) is thiqah-According to al-Khatib
Reference: Tarikh Baghdad Volume 13, Page no:540
4) Ahmad ibn Hammad ibn Sufyan (d. 297) is thiqah-According to al-Khatib
Reference: Misbah al-Arib Volume 1, Page no: 86 Click Here for Scanned Page (219)
Reference: Tartib Al-Madarik, Volume 1, page 62 Click Here for Scanned Page (218)
Merits of Imam Abu Hanifa R.A
وقال بن أبي خيثمة ثنا سليمان بن أبي شيخ قال كان أبو حنيفة ورعا سخيا
Translation: Ibn Abi Khaythama said from Sulayman ibn Abu Shaykh: Abu Hanifa was extremely scrupulous (wari`) and generous (sakhi)
Reference: Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Tahdhib ut Tahdhib, Volume No.10, Page No. 402(Online) and Volume No. 10, Page No. 450 Click Here for Scanned Page (211)
وقال أحمد بن عبدة قاضي الري عن أبيه كنا عند بن عائشة فذكر حديثا لأبي حنيفة ثم قال أما أنكم لو رأيتموه لاردتموه فما مثله ومثلكم إلا كما قيل ... اقلوا عليهم ويلكم لا أبا لكم ... من اللوم أو سدوا المكان الذي سدوا ...
Reference: Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Tahdhib ut Tahdhib, Volume No.10, Page No. 402 (Online) and Volume No. 10, Page No. 451 Click Here for Scanned Page (212)
وعن بن عيسى بن الطباع سمعت روح بن عبادة يقول كنت عند بن جريج سنة خمسين ومائة فأتاه موت أبي حنيفة فاسترجع وتوجع وقال أي علم ذهب قال وفيها مات بن
جريج وقال
Translation: Ibn Isa ibn al-Tabba said: I heard Rawh ibn Ubada say: I was with Ibn Jurayj in the year 150 when the news of Abu Hanifa's death reached him. He winced and pain seized him; he said: Verily, knowledge has departed (ay `ilmun dhahab)." Ibn Jurayj died that same year
Reference: Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Tahdhib ut Tahdhib, Volume No.10, Page No. 402(Online) and Volume No. 10, Page No. 450 Click Here for Scanned Page (211)
أحمد بن زهير، حدثنا سليمان بن أبي شيخ، حدثني حجر بن عبد الجبار قال: قيل للقاسم بن معن: ترضى أن تكون من غلمان أبي حنيفة ؟ قال: ما جلس الناس إلى أحد أنفع من مجالسة أبي حنيفة. وقال له القاسم: تعال معي إليه، فلما جاء إليه، لزمه وقال: ما رأيت مثل هذا
Translation: Ahmad ibn Zuhayr said that Sulayman ibn Abu Shaykh narrated to us that Hujr ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar narrated to me who said, Al-Qasim ibn Ma‘n was asked, ‘Does it please you to be the servants of Abu Hanifah?’ He replied, ‘The people have not sat with anyone more beneficial than Abu Hanifah.’ Al-Qasim then said to him, ‘Come with me to him.’ When he (the man who asked) came to him, he stayed with him and said, ‘I have not seen anyone like him.’
References
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 398-399 Click Here for Scanned Page (195)-(196)
2) Imam Mizzi, Tahzeeb ul Kamal, Volume 29, Page No: 428 Click Here for Scanned Page (203)
وعن أسد بن عمرو، أن أبا حنيفة، رحمه الله، صلى العشاء والصبح بوضوء أربعين سنة.
Translation: Asad ibn ‘Amr narrates, ‘Abu Hanifah (may Allah mercy him) performed ‘Isha and the morning prayer with one wudu for forty years.’
Reference: Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 399 Click Here for Scanned Page (196)
وروى بشر بن الوليد، عن القاضي أبي يوسف قال: بينما أنا أمشي مع أبي حنيفة، إذ سمعت رجلا يقول لآخر: هذا أبو حنيفة لا ينام الليل. فقال أبو حنيفة: والله لا يتحدث عني بما لم أفعل. فكان يحيى الليل صلاة وتضرعا ودعاء.
Translation: Bishr ibn al-Walid narrates from Qadi Abu Yusuf who said, ‘While I was walking with Abu Hanifah I heard a man saying to another, “This is Abu Hanifah, he does not sleep at night.” So Abu Hanifah said, “I swear by Allah, it is not spoken of me that which I have not done.” He used to keep awake the night in prayer, supplication and du‘a.’
References
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 399 Click Here for Scanned Page (196)
2) Imam Mizzi, Tahzeeb ul Kamal, Volume 29, Page No: 435 Click Here for Scanned Page (207)
3) Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Tahdhib ut Tahdhib, Volume No.10, Page No. 402 (Online) and Volume No. 10, Page No. 450 Click Here for Scanned Page (211)
4) Imam Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma', Narrator no: 771, page 378
وقد روى من وجهين: أن أبا حنيفة قرأ القرآن كله في ركعة.
Translation: It has been narrated through two chains that Abu Hanifah recited the entire Qur’an in one rak‘ah
References
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 399 Click Here for Scanned Page (196)
2) Imam Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma', Narrator no: 771, page 378
Translation: Sharik narrates, ‘Abu Hanifah is someone who would remain quiet for a long time and was someone of great intelligence.’ Abu ‘Asim al-Nabil said, ‘Abu Hanifah would be called al-watd (the pole) due to performing so many salah.’ Ibn Ishaq al-Samarqandi narrates from Qadi Abu Yusuf who said, ‘Abu Hanifah used to complete the Qur’an every night in one rak‘ah.’
References
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 400 Click Here for Scanned Page (197)
2) Imam Mizzi, Tahzeeb ul Kamal, Volume 29, Page No: 434 Click Here for Scanned Page (206)
3) Imam Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma', Narrator no: 771, page 378
يحيى بن عبدالحميد الحماني، عن أبيه أنه صحب أبا حنيفة ستة أشهر، قال: فما رأيته صلى الغداة إلا بوضوء عشاء الآخرة، وكان يختم كل ليلة عند السحر
Translation: Yahya ibn ‘Abd al-Hamid al-Himmani narrates from his father that he remained with Abu Hanifah for six months. He said, ‘I never saw him offer the morning prayer except with the wudu of the ‘Isha of the previous night. He would complete the Qur’an every night at dawn…’
References
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 400 Click Here for Scanned Page (197)
2) Imam Mizzi, Tahzeeb ul Kamal, Volume 29, Page No: 434 Click Here for Scanned Page (206)
3) Imam Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma', Narrator no: 771, page 378
قال مسعر بن كدام: رأيت أبا حنيفة قرأ القرآن في ركعة.
Translation: Masr ibn Kadam said: I saw Abu hanifa recited Qur’an in one rak‘ah
References
1)Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 401 Click Here for Scanned Page (197)
2) Imam Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma', Narrator no: 771, page 377
وقال أبو يوسف: قال أبو حنيفة: لا ينبغي للرجل أن يحدث إلا بما يحفظه من وقت ما سمعه
Translation: Abu Yusuf said that Abu Hanifah said, ‘It is not appropriate for a man to narrate except that which he has remembered at the time when he heard it.’
Reference:Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 401 Click Here for Scanned Page (197)
وعن أبي معاوية الضرير قال: حب أبي حنيفة من السنة
Translation: Abu Mu‘awiyah al-Dharir narrates, ‘Loving Abu Hanifah is from the Sunnah.’
Reference: Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 401 Click Here for Scanned Page (197)
Translation: Nasr bin Ali al has said,I heard ibn dawood say: “People were either jealous or ignorant of Imam Abu Hanifa
References
1) Imam Mizzi, Tahzeeb ul Kamal, Volume 29, Page No: 441 Click Here for Scanned Page (208)
2) Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Tahdhib ut Tahdhib, Volume No.10, Page No. 402 (Online) and Volume No. 10, Page No. 451 Click Here for Scanned Page (212)
وقال يحيى بن سعيد القطان: لا نكذب الله، ما سمعنا أحسن من رأي أبي حنيفة، وقد أخذنا بأكثر أقواله
Translation: Yahya ibn Sa‘id al-Qattan said, ‘We do not lie in front of Allah. We have not heard any better opinion than that of Abu Hanifah. We have taken the majority of his opinions.’
References
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 402 Click Here for Scanned Page (198)
2) Imam Mizzi, Tahzeeb ul Kamal, Volume 29, Page No: 433 Click Here for Scanned Page (205)
3) Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Tahdhib ut Tahdhib, Volume No.10, Page No. 402(Online) and Volume No. 10, Page No. 450 Click Here for Scanned Page (211)
وقال علي بن عاصم: لو وزن علم الامام أبي حنيفة بعلم أهل زمانه، لرجح عليهم
Translation: Ali ibn ‘Asim said, ‘If the knowledge of Imam Abu Hanifah were to be weighed against the knowledge of the people of his era, then he would surpass them.’
References
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 403 Click Here for Scanned Page (199)
2) Imam Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma', Narrator no: 771, page 379
وقال حفص بن غياث: كلام أبي حنيفة في الفقه، أدق من الشعر، لا يعيبه إلا جاهل
Translation: Hafs ibn Ghiyath said, ‘The speech of Abu Hanifah in fiqh is finer than a hair; only an ignoramus finds fault in it.’
Reference: Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 403 Click Here for Scanned Page (199)
وقال جرير: قال لي مغيرة: جالس أبا حنيفة تفقه، فإن إبراهيم النخعي لو كان حيا لجالسه
Translation: Jarir said, ‘Mughayrah said to me, “Sit with Abu Hanifah, you will gain insight in fiqh. If Ibrahim al-Nakha‘i were alive then he would have sat with him.”
Reference: Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 403 Click Here for Scanned Page (199)
Passing Away of this Great Soul
قال إسحاق بن إبراهيم الزهري، عن بشر بن الوليد قال: طلب المنصور أبا حنيفة فأراده على القضاء، وحلف ليلين فأبى، وحلف: إني لا أفعل. فقال الربيع الحاجب: ترى أمير المؤمنين يحلف، وأنت تحلف ؟ قال: أمير المؤمنين على كفارة يمينه أقدر مني، فأمر به إلى السجن، فمات فيه ببغداد
Translation: Ishaq ibn Ibrahim al-Zuhri narrates from Bishr ibn al-Walid who said, ‘Mansur called for Abu Hanifah and wanted him to take up the judiciary and he swore that he will definitely take it. Imam Abu Hanifah refused and vowed, “I will not.” Al-Rabi‘ al-Hajib said, “You see the commander of the faithful taking an oath and you then also take an oath?” He replied, “The commander of the faithful is more capable of fulfilling the compensation for his oath than I.” He was sent to prison; he died there in Baghdad…’
References
1) Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 401 Click Here for Scanned Page (197)
2) Imam Nawawi, Tahdhib al-Asma', Narrator no: 771, page 376
وليس يصح في الاذهان شئ * إذا احتاج النهار إلى دليل وسيرته تحتمل أن تفرد في مجلدين، رضي الله عنه، ورحمه. توفي شهيدا مسقيا في سنة خمسين ومئة. وله سبعون سنة، وعليه قبة عظيمة ومشهد فاخر ببغداد، والله أعلم
Translation: And nothing will be correct in the minds, When even the day asks for proof that it is day. It is possible that his biography can be separated into two volumes. May Allah be pleased with him and mercy him. He died a martyr having been given poison to drink in 150AH; he was 70 years old. Upon his grave are a large dome and a splendid tomb in Baghdad. And Allah is the most knowledgeable.”
Reference: Imam Dhahabi, Siyar Alam al-Nubala, Volume 6, Page No: 403 Click Here for Scanned Page (199)
Testimony of the Pious Salaf on Imam Abu Hanifah
Imam Sufyan al-Thawri
Reference:Tarikh Baghdad Volume 15, Page no: 471 Click Here for Scanned Page (224)
أخبرنا الخلال أخبرنا الحريري أن النخعي حدثهم قال حدثنا محمد بن علي بن عفان حدثنا أبو كريب قال سمعت عبد الله بن المبارك يقول وأخبرني محمد بن احمد بن يعقوب أخبرنا محمد بن نعيم الضبي حدثنا أبو سعيد محمد بن الفضل المذكر حدثنا أبو عبد الله محمد محمد بن سعيد المروزي حدثنا أبو حمزة يعني بن حمزة قال سمعت أبا وهب محمد بن مزاحم يقول سمعت عبد الله بن المبارك يقول رأيت أعبد الناس ورأيت أورع الناس ورأيت أعلم الناس ورأيت أفقه الناس فاما أعبد الناس فعبد العزيز بن أبي رواد وأما أورع الناس فالفضيل بن عياض وأما أعلم الناس فسفيان الثوري وأما أفقه الناس فأبو حنيفة ثم قال ما رأيت في الفقه مثله
Reference: Tarikh Baghdad Volume 15, Page: 471 Click Here for Scanned Page (224)
أخبرنا الحسين بن علي بن محمد المعدل حدثنا علي بن الحسن الرازي حدثنا محمد بن الحسين الزعفراني حدثنا احمد بن زهير حدثنا الوليد بن شجاع حدثنا علي بن الحسن بن شقيق قال كان عبد الله بن المبارك يقول إذا اجتمع هذان على شيء فذاك قوي يعني الثوري وأبا حنيفة
Reference: Tarikh Baghdad Volume 15, Page: 470 Click Here for Scanned Page (223)
منه أخبرني عبد الباقي بن عبد الكريم المؤدب أخبرنا عبد الرحمن بن عمر الخلال حدثنا محمد بن احمد بن يعقوب بن شيبة حدثنا جدي حدثني يعقوب بن احمد قال سمعت الحسن بن علي قال سمعت يزيد بن هارون وسأله انسان فقال يا أبا خالد من أفقه من رأيت قال أبو حنيفة قال الحسن ولقد قلت لأبي عاصم يعني النبيل أبو حنيفة أفقه أو سفيان قال عبد أبي حنيفة أفقه من سفيان
Note:Needless to say, Abu ‘Asim al-Nabil’s statement is not to be taken literally, but exaggerates the excellence in fiqh of Abu Hanifah over even Sufyan al-Thawri.
Reference: Tarikh Baghdad Volume 15, Page: 468 Click Here for Scanned Page (221)
2) Abu ‘Asim al-Nabil al-Dahhak ibn Makhlad ibn al-Dahhak (122 – 214), also a narrator of the Six and the greatest and eldest of al-Bukhari’s shaykhs in hadith. Some of al-Bukhari’s thulathiyyat (three-narrator chains) which are the shortest of al-Bukhari’s chains go through him. [Imam Ibn Hajar Asqalani,Tahdhib al-Tahdhib Volume 4, Page 450-453]
Imam Shafai
Reference: Tarikh Baghdad Volume 15, Page: 474 Click Here for Scanned Page (225)
Reference: Tarikh Baghdad Volume 15, Page: 474 Click Here for Scanned Page (225)
Ali Ibn al-Madini
Reference: Tarikh Baghdad Volume 15, Page: 483 Click Here for Scanned Page (226)
Hence according to Law of Jarh wah ta’deel is that no consideration will be given to that criticism which is against such person whose integrity has been firmly established and as seen from above Overwhelming Proofs Imam al Azam Abu Hanifa R.A is above all the criticism leveled against him. Final conclusion as said by Imam Ibn Hajar Asqalani r.a
مناقب الإمام أبي حنيفة كثيرة جدا فرضي الله تعلى عنه واسكنه الفردوس آمين
Translation: There are "MANY(Countless)" merits of Imam Abu Hanifa r.a May Allah be Please with him and Grant him Firdous(Paradise) Ameen
Reference: Imam Ibn hajar Asqalani, Tahdhib al-Tahdib Volume 10, Page: 452 Click Here for Scanned Page (213)
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو فُلَانَةَ كَذَا قَالَ أَبِي لَمْ يُسَمِّهِ عَلَى عَمْدٍ وَحَدَّثَنَاه غَيْرُهُ فَسَمَّاهُ يَعْنِي أَبَا حُنَيْفَةَ عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنِ مَرْثَدٍ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ بُرَيْدَةَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ لِرَجُلٍ أَتَاهُ اذْهَبْ فَإِنَّ الدَّالَّ عَلَى الْخَيْرِ كَفَاعِلِهِ
حدثنا صالح بن عبد الرحمن قال ثنا عبد الله بن يزيد المقرىء قال وحدثنا فهد قال ثنا أبو نعيم قال ثنا أبو حنيفة رحمه الله عن هشام بن عروة عن أبيه عن عائشة رضي الله عنها أن فاطمة بنت أبي حبيش أتت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقالت إني أحيض الشهر والشهرين فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إن ذلك ليس بحيض وإنما ذلك عرق من دمك فإذا أقبل الحيض فدعي الصلاة وإذا أدبر فاغتسلي لطهرك ثم توضئي عند كل صلاة