Abu Hanifa

Abu Hanifa

Abu Hanifa, whose full name is Al-Nu’man ibn Thabit ibn Al-Marzuban, hailed from a distinguished family known for its high status and honor within their community. His ancestry traces back to Kabul, and his grandfather embraced Islam during the era of Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). Born in Kufa in 80 AH (After Hijra), Abu Hanifa was raised in a household renowned for righteousness, guidance, generosity, and wealth. This nurturing environment played a significant role in his ability to memorize the entire Quran in his youth, and he performed Hajj at the tender age of sixteen.

Abu Hanifa’s Knowledge

The esteemed Imam Abu Hanifa (may Allah have mercy on him) studied under several prominent scholars, including notable figures such as Ata, Nafi, Abdul Rahman ibn Harmuz, and Hamad ibn Sulayman. He was also a teacher and mentor to many jurists, among them his two main students, Abu Yusuf and Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Shaybani, as well as Zafar ibn al-Hudhayl. It is worth noting that Abu Hanifa is recognized as a pillar of jurisprudence and is one of the revered Imams of the four major Islamic schools of thought, being the earliest among them to pass away. He lived during the period of the Companions and is said to have heard from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) and several other Companions. He transmitted narrations from seven Companions and numerous successors, including Al-Hakam, Hamad ibn Abi Sulayman, Salamah ibn Kuhayl, Amir al-Sha’bi, Ikrimah, Ata, Qatadah, Al-Zuhri, Nafi’, the freedman of Ibn Umar, Yahya ibn Sa’id Al-Ansari, and Abu Ishaq Al-Sabi’i. Additionally, many narrators transmitted knowledge from Abu Hanifa, including Ibrahim ibn Tamhān, Ishaq ibn Yusuf Al-Azraq, Asad ibn Amr Al-Qadi, Al-Hasan ibn Ziad Al-Lu’lu’i, Hamzah Al-Zayyat, Dawood Al-Ṭa’i, and others.

Death of Abu Hanifa

Abu Hanifa (may Allah have mercy on him) passed away in 150 AH, which corresponds to 767 CE, in the city of Baghdad. His death was marked by a significant number of people attending his funeral prayers.