A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Fiqh – Jurisprudence
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IMAM ABU HANIFAH (699-767)
Abu Hanifa An Numan ibn Thabit, a Muslim jurist was born in
Kufah
and died in Baghdad. He has established one of the Islamic
schools of jurisprudence.
Kufa the birth-place of Abu Hanifah was an intellectual centre of
Iraq. Abu Hanifah belonged to the
mawali
, the non-Arab Muslims
who greatly contributed to the intellectual activity in the Muslim
empire.
Abu Hanifah came from a family of merchants. So he also took up
the silk trade for making his livelihood. He became very well
known for his honesty and truthfulness. His goods were very
popular in Iraq, Syria, Persia and Arabia. Although his business
flourished yet he himself lived a very pious, simple life. A large
part of his income was generously donated to charity, helping
scholars in particular. Once during his trip he met Imam Sha‘bi.
Imam enquired of him ‘where do you keep moving about.” Abu
Hanifah replied that his profession was trade so he kept moving
for his business activities. Then Imam Sha‘bi asked “Do you visit
religious scholars”. Abu Hanifa replied that he went to them
sometimes.
After this encounter with Imam Sha‘bi, Abu Hanifah became keen
on acquiring religious knowledge. He took more time off from his
business activities and devoted himself to the learning of
fiqh
and
Kalam
in particular. His chief teacher of
fiqh
(Islamic Law) was
Hammad (d 738). Hammad was the most noted jurist of Iraq of
