Abu Hanifah (رحمه الله)

Date of Birth and Death

• Born: 699 CE (80 AH) in Kufa, Iraq
• Died: 767 CE (150 AH) in Baghdad, Iraq​ 

Origin and Early Life

Imam Abu Hanifah, whose full name was Nu’man ibn Thabit ibn Nu’man ibn Marzubān, hailed from a family of Persian descent. His grandfather, Marzuban, converted to Islam and settled in Kufa, a bustling center of commerce and scholarship at the time. Initially involved in trade, Imam Abu Hanifah dedicated his life to religious studies upon the encouragement of Imam al-Shabi (رحمه الله)​

Education and Teachers

Abu Hanifah studied under approximately 4,000 scholars, including notable figures such as:

• Hammad ibn Abi Sulayman (his primary teacher for 18 years)
• Ata’ ibn Abi Rabah in Mecca
• Ja’far al-Sadiq
• Salama ibn Kuhail
• Ibrahim al-Nakhai
• Imam al-Shabi
• Imam Zuhri​ 

Additionally, Imam Suyuti (رحمه الله) mentions that Imam Tabari (رحمه الله) documented several hadiths narrated by Imam Abu Hanifah, proving his direct interactions with several Sahaba (companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)), such as:

• Anas bin Malik
• Jabir bin Abdullah
• Abdullah bin Jaza al-Zubaydi
• Maqal bin Yasaar
• Wathila bin al-Asqa
• Aisha bint Ujrah (رضي الله عنهم)​ 

Expertise and Works

Imam Abu Hanifah was a master of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and is best known for founding the Hanafi school of thought. His rational approach to legal issues distinguished his teachings.

His notable works include:

• Al-Fiqh al-Akbar
• Kitab al-Raddala al-Qadariyyah
• Al-Aalim wa al-Mutaallim
• Al-Fiqh al-Absat
• Kitab Ikhtilaf al-Sahaba
• Kitab al-Jami
• Al-Kitab al-Awsat
• Kitab al-Sayr
• Risalah Abu Hanifa ila Uthman al-Bayti
• Wasiyyah al-Imam Abu Hanifa fi al-Tawheed​

Famous For

Abu Hanifah is renowned for establishing the Hanafi school of jurisprudence, which is characterized by its emphasis on reason and opinion alongside traditional texts. His school is the most widely practiced Islamic legal tradition today, predominant in South Asia, Turkey, and parts of the Arab world​

Character and Piety

Imam Abu Hanifah was also known for his piety and taqwa (God-consciousness). His contemporaries praised him highly:

• Yazid ibn Harun (رحمه الله) noted his intelligence and reliability.
• Yahya ibn Ma‘in (رحمه الله) and Yahya al-Qattan (رحمه الله) both attested to his fear of Allah and virtuous character.
• Ibn ‘Uyaynah (رحمه الله) remarked on his unparalleled knowledge and piety.
• Ibn al-Mubarak (رحمه الله) acknowledged him as the best faqih (jurist) of his time​ 

Books and Teachings

 The teachings of Imam Abu Hanifah are preserved and continue to be taught in many Islamic institutions and universities around the world. His works and the principles of the Hanafi school have significantly influenced Islamic law and jurisprudence, making them a primary subject of study in many educational institutions.