Shahre Mubarak Grand Masjid foundation stone laying ceremony and Mad'hu Rasool Speach on 30th January 2012.

Kozhikode: The country’s biggest mosque is about to be built at an expense of around Rs 40 crore in the outskirts of Calicut city. The mosque, expected to accommodate 25,000 people at a time, is being built by Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musalyar’s trust named Markaz, owned by the AP faction of Sunnis in Kerala.

The Markaz claims to have the divine ‘Sha`ar-e-Mubarak’ [literally blessed hair] of Prophet Muhammed [SAW] and they have clarified that the mosque is being built to preserve the holy remains of the Prophet. It will be the second of its type in the country after the Hazrathbal Masjid of Kashmir. The Topkapi Museum in Turkey is another place said to be preserving the holy hair.
Markaz has announced that Abbas Alavi Maliki al Makkah, Ahmed al Khasraji [who handed over the Sha`ar-e-Mubarak], Muhammed Iqbal Jaliyawallah and several other Scholars, Sadaths and Ulema from different corners of the world will be attending the foundation stone laying ceremony on 30th January 2012.

Markaz has owned 12 acres of land in the outskirts of Calicut city, from which a complete four acre will be taken up for building the grand mosque. The remaining 8 acres will turn out to be a Mughal style garden providing rich greenery to the Masjid built in the Indo-Saracenic style. The chief architect of 2.5 lakh square feet mosque is Riyaz Muhammed of Indigo Architects, Thrissur.

The mosque besides being a place to worship has been claimed will become a cultural centre as it is expected to possess a seminar hall, library and facilities to accommodate stay for around 1200 people at a time. The very central part of the Masjid would have a prominent minaret under which the ‘Sha`ar-e-Mubarak’ will be preserved.

There were a lot of controversies regarding the credibility of the ‘holy hair’ as most other religious and service groups with in the community questioned the credibility of the Sha`ar-e-Mubarak handed over to AP Aboobacker Musalyar in a function in the Karanthoor Sunni Markaz, by Mr Dr Ahmed Khasraji [UAE], who claims to have even more blessed remains of the prophet with him.

There were a lot of those hot debates very common to the streets and halls of almost all towns and villages in Kerala; with the Salafi, EK Sunni fractions [the parental organisation of Sunni’s from which AP formed a Sunni fraction on his own accusing them of being inefficient in overcoming the Wahabi tactics] demanding him to publicly announce the exact ‘Sanad’ [the way in which the holy remains were inherited to Mr Ahmed Khasraji].

The enmity between the two fractions got even worse with EK fraction being suspicious regarding the new alleged alliance between Indian Union Muslim league [IUML] and the AP fraction of Sunni’s as until now the Samastha board of EK Sunni’s were believed to be the power house of IUML. They accused AP of being cunning to always extract benefits out of the ruling class as he was earlier said to be favouring the left parties.

With the intension of keeping away these threats the EK Sunni’s had undertook immense efforts to campaign against the Sha`ar-e- Mubarak Masjid, showcasing the AP venture as a mere business tactic and a sought of robbery in the name of fake spirituality. They have even demanded IUML to keep away from any alliance towards the AP fraction as well.

Foreseeing further hate campaigns and in order to boost up his companions to derive maximum participation in building the Masjid, AP Aboobacker Musalyar is now on a ‘Kerala Yathra’ [tour] which until now have turned successful with massive campaigns and participation.
See More Photos In Islamic Photo Gallery
Article by
Abdul Basith MA, TwoCircles.net,

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Ma'din Arrange Muharram Meet

The Ma'dinu Ssaqafathil Islamiyya here will hold day-long programmes to celebrate the 10th day of Muharram on Tuesday.

Ma'din chairman Sayed Ibrahim Khaleel Bukhari will lead the celebrations. Mr. Bukhari said that unlike the belief upheld by Shiaites, Muharram was a month of celebration as it was in Muharram that God blessed many of the Islamic prophets with good things.

He called upon the Muslim community to observe fast on Tuesday as a mark of gratitude to God's blessings.

“We all know that Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Husain and his relatives were brutally murdered at Karbala on Muharram 10, leaving us one of the darkest chapters in Islamic history. That was one of the saddest days we all want to forget, and not to relive by commemorating it. We observe Muharram as a mark of gratitude to God for his blessings,” Thangal said.

Elaborate arrangements have been made at Swalat Nagar for Muharram prayers and Iftar. There will be special prayers for world peace and prosperity.

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Al- Hajj 2011 Muslims Pilgrimage to Mecca

More than 2.5 million Muslims from around the world are expected to perform the hajj.

The hajj, an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the largest pilgrimage in the world. More than 2.5 million Muslims are expected to perform the hajj, a religious duty to be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so.

The pilgrimage is a demonstration of solidarity between Muslim people, as well as their submission to Allah.

This year, the hajj falls between Nov. 4 to 9.

The hajj is associated with the life of Islamic prophet Muhammad and during the time pilgrims join processions and perform a series of rituals. The rituals include: walking counter-clockwise seven times around the Kaaba — the cube-shaped building which acts as the Muslim direction of prayer — running back and forth between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, drinking from the Zamzam Well, standing vigil at Mount Arafat, and throwing stones in a ritual Stoning of the Devil.

At the end of hajj, pilgrims shave their heads, perform a ritual of animal sacrifice, and celebrate the three day global festival of Eid al-Adha.

Editors note: More photos to be added as the pilgrimage continues.

Al - Hajj 2011 Photos

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Lalu Prasad Yadav visits Markaz News and Photos

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Sunday offered all support to Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musaliyar, general secretary of Markazu Ssaquafathi Ssunniyya, the Sunni Cultural Centre, if the latter intended to start any educational institutions in the State of Bihar. Mr. Yadav was speaking to a gathering at the Markazu Ssaquafathi Ssunniyya campus at Karanthur in Kozhikode during a personal visit of the leader to the Sunni Cultural centre.

Laying stress on the importance of education for the development of the society and the country on the occasion, Mr. Yadav lauded the efforts of the Sunni Cultural Centre and Mr. Kanthapuram in imparting education to economically underprivileged sections of the minority community in the State.

A team of Sunni leaders comprising Mr. Kanthapuram and Markaz general manager C.Muhammed Faizi, Abdul Hakeem Azhari and Hussain Saquafi Chullikode received Mr. Yadav at Karanthur.

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Country’s Largest Ramzan Prayer Conference to Pledge against Terrorism and Alcoholism

New Delhi:  Hundreds of thousands of believers will gather to take pledge against terrorism and alcoholism and to pray for peace and harmony on the Shabe Qadr day, the Holy night of the month of Ramzan. The largest prayer congregation in India will be held on Friday, 26th August 2011 at Swalath Nagar, Malappuram, Kerala. This unique gathering spreads the  message of harmony, tolerance, love and affection.

This mammoth prayer congregation, comparing with all spiritual conferences of Muslims in the month of Ramzan, is considered as the third biggest spiritual meet in the world after Makkah and Madina.Here, people congregate in search of the blessing of the greatest night, called Shabe Qadr, Night of Power (Lailathul Qadr) , which is compatible to thousand months.

Ma’din Islamic Academy (www.mahdinonline.com), the host organization of the event takes its inspiration from this congregation. Hundreds of thousands of believers rush to this prayer, seeking salvation for their knotty issues. Freeing themselves from all worries, people raise their hands in the union, beseeching Almighty for spiritual deliverance. It is a different kind of spiritual experience for all believers.

The annual conclave has been attracted the attention of believer across the country and abroad as well. The devotees, incapable for direct participation, take part in the prayer, watching live telecast on television and webcast by chanting each word along with hundreds of thousands.

There will be Ifthar facilities, the group feast ending the day’s fast in the evening, for about 100,000 people before the marathon prayer session begins. Thajul Ulama Sayyid Abdurahman Al Bukhari, President, All Kerala Scholars Association and Sayyid Ibrahimul Khaleelul Bukhari, Chairman, Ma’din Islamic Academy will be leading the programmes.Thouba (prayer for salvation), Swalath (prayer in the name of Prophet), prayer for the wellbeing of the assembled, and prayer for world peace are the major activities of the congregation.

Screens will be arranged for watching the programme from faraway places. 5555 volunteers are getting ready for the smooth conduction of the programme. Best cooperation from the part of district administration, police and fire force will be there from the beginning to the end. A special medical aid post will be set by Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.

The prayer congregation is conducted by Ma’din Islamic Academy, the educational and charitable society formed in 1997. 14000 students are learning in various institutions under Ma’din Academy. Technical  Institute , Arts and Science College, Research Centre, Orphanage, Special schools for the blind, deaf and mentally challenged, Residential School, Public School, School of Journalism, Language Resource Centre, College of Islamic Da’wa are some of the institutions under Ma’din.

The Academy has been organising this event every year for the past 25 years on the 26th night of Ramadan, anticipating Laylat Al Qadr, the Night of Power which comes on one of the odd nights of the holy month’s last ten days. Swalath Nagar is situated on the Kozhikkode-Palakkad road on National Highway213 and 24 KM away from Calicut International Airport.

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Special Pray and Dhikr Laylatul Baraat

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Night of 15th Shaban - Laylatul Baraat-

The 15th night of Shabaan is a very blessed night. According to the Hadith Shareef, the name of this Mubarak night is "Nisf Shabaan" which means 15th night of Shabaan. The reason for this special night to attain its name of Laylatul Baraa'ah, meaning the Night of Salvation, Seeking Freedom from Azaab and Calamity, is that in this night the Barkaat and acceptance of repentance may be accomplished. Laylatul Baraa'ah in Persian, as well as in Urdu, is called Shabbe Baraat.

It is the night of seeking pardon and repenting to Almighty Allah, remembering our past sins and sincerely settling the mind that one will never commits sins in the future. All the deeds that are against Shari'ah must be totally avoided so that our Du'a and Istighfaar, hopefully, will be accepted. Muslims should check themselves and A'la Hazrat, Imam Ahmed Raza (radi Allahu anhu) has given a beautiful advise in this regard. This great Imam said: "Verily the auspicious night of Shabbe Baraa'a is drawing near when the deeds of the slave will be presented to the Almighty Allah. I humbly supplicate in the Darbar-e-Aqdas of the Almighty Allah that through the Wasila-e-Uzma of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) He forgives the sins and transgressions of all Muslims. Aameen.

Fifteenth of Sha‘bãn

Amongst the days and nights of Sha‘ban, there is one night called Laylatul Baraat or Shabe Baraat, a night noted for its great blessings and virtues. The Glorious Quran describes it as the blessed night
Fortunate indeed are those who attain the full blessings and benefits of this night by spending it in performing good and refraining from evil. One must strive his utmost to attend to ‘ibadah (worship) in this auspicious night as this night indeed is a great favour of Allah subhanahu wata'aala for the believers. There are a number of ahadeeth in regard to this night

1) ‘Ali radiyallahu anhu narrates that Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “When it is the fifteenth of Shaaban, then stand (in worship) at night and fast during the day. Because Allah subhanahu wata'aala descends in this night at sunset to the first heaven and says: ‘Is there any seeker of forgiveness, that I may forgive him? Is there any seeker of sustenance, that I may sustain him? Is there anyone in affliction, that I may remove his affliction? Is there anyone like this, like that (and so on)’. This continues until Fajr.” (Ibn Mãjah)

2) Aboo Moosã Al-Ash‘ari radiyallahu anhu narrates that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “In the fifteenth night of Sha‘ban, Allah subhanahu wata'aala manifests and forgives all His creation except for the Mushrik (idolater) and the spiteful.” (Ibn Mãjah)
‘However, Allah will not look (with mercy) even on this (auspicious) night towards idolaters, one who harbours ill‑will against his fellow beings, one who cuts himself off from his near relatives, one who dangles his clothes over his ankles, one disobedient to parents and a habitual drunkard.’”

(3) Although everyday salãh should be performed in Jamã‘ah (congregation), on this auspicious night, one must participate with deep and solemn care in the Maghrib, ‘Ishã and Fajr Salãh.

(4) Spend as much time of the night as possible in worship individually. No specific du‘ã or method of worship has been prescribed. One may engage in dhikr, recitation of the Qur’ãn, salãh, learning and teaching or any other form of ‘ibãdah. However, one must refrain from worldly talk and wasting of time. If ‘ibãdah is not possible then at least avoid all sinful and useless acts and go to bed as soon as possible.

(5) In one hadeeth it has been mentioned that Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam visited the graveyard of Baqee‘. However, one may not establish the practice to be Sunnah as there is no mention of Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam making it a general practice of this night. Hence, if one visits the graveyard once in a while it will be permissible.
May Allah subhanahu wata'aala guide us all on the straight path and enlighten us with the blessings of this sacred month and its blessed night. Ãmeen.

"On this occasion, it should be the duty of all Sunni Muslims to forgive one another and to make sure that whatever debts owed to one another is settled. The importance of Huqooq-ul-Ibaad cannot be over-emphasised as this is among the pre-requisites for proper Ibaadat. I pray that all Muslims humbly remember this night and try as much as possible to perform Ibaadat and other pious deeds so that their Record of Deeds be presented in all dignity.

"Finally, I pray that the Almighty Allah assists you and I and the Muslim Ummah wherever you may be. Muslims should be aware of sincerity and honesty in all their deeds. May Almighty Allah forgive all of us. Aameen." Faqeer Ahmed Raza Qaaderi (may Allah forgive him)

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THE EXCELLENCE OF DU’A

Du‘a is the most powerful weapon of a believer. It can change fate, while no action of ours ever do. It is the brain of ‘Ibadah or worship. With it we can never fail; without it we can never succeed. With all the suffering and disasters Muslims are facing in various parts of the world, the question of Du‘a can be directed to all of us today. It is not that we have forgotten Du‘a completely; we refer to it regularly. But, our ideas and practice regarding Du‘a have become distorted. Often it is reduced to the level of a ritual. It is belittled through actions and sometimes even with words. Almighty Allah says:

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ“And your Lord said: ‘Invoke Me, I will respond to your (invocation). Verily, those who scorn My worship they will surely enter Hell in humiliation.” [Surah al-Ghafir, Verse 60]

The Almighty Allah states:

فَلَوْلا إِذْ جَاءَهُمْ بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُواْ وَلَكِن قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَWhen the suffering reached them from Us, why then did they not learn humility? On the contrary their hearts became hardened (with arrogance), and Satan made their (sinful) acts seem alluring to them. [Surah al-An'am, Verse 43]

..:: THE EXCELLENCE OF DU’A ::..

There are numerous Ahadith relating to the excellence of Du’a.

HADITH NO. 1

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam states that Almighty Allah says:

أنا عندَ ظنِّ عبدي بيI am with the supposition of My servant. [Recorded in Bukhari (Hadith 7239), Muslim, Tirmidi, Nisa’i  and Ibn Maja on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah]

This means that as a servant imagines or has an opinion concerning Allah, the Merciful Lord accordingly reacts with him. Knowledge and Qudrat is with everything but there is a special proximity of mercy with those who make Du’a to Him. What bigger mercy can a servant ask for than being blessed with the Divine Proximity of the Sublime Lord? Thousands of acceptances and millions of desires and intentions may be sacrificed on such Divine Proximity!

HADITH NO. 2

لَيْسَ شَيءٌ أكْرَمَ عَلَى اللهِ مِنَ الدُّعَاءِThere is nothing nobler to Allah than Du‘a. [Recorded in Tirmidi, Ibn Maja, Ibn Habban and Hakim narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah. Also cited in Tahzib al-Kamil, Vol. 4, Page 309]

HADITH NO. 3

The Prophet of Allah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam narrates from his Lord who says:

يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ إِنَّكَ مَا دَعَوْتَنِي وَرَجَوْتَنِي غَفَرْتُ لَكَ عَلَى مَا كَانَ فِيكَ وَلَا أُبَالِي
Oh children of Adam Alaihis Salam! Until such time you make Du‘a to Me and have trust and hope in Me, I will continue forgiving your sins no matter what they are, and I do not care of anything (i.e. He is Independent.) [Tirmidi on the narration of Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik, Hadith 3463]

HADITH NO. 4

The Beloved Habib SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam states:

لا تعجزوا في الدعاء ، فإنه لن يهلك مع الدعاء أحد
“Do not get fed up with Du‘a, for no one will perish with (continuously asking) Du‘a.” [Narrated by Ibn Habban and Hakim, Sahih Ibn Habban, Hadith 872]

HADITH NO. 5

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam states:

الدعاء سلاح المؤمن وعماد الدين ونور السموات والأرض
“Du‘a is a weapon of a Muslim, a Pillar of Deen and the light of the skies and earth.” [Narrated by Hakim from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah and Abu Ya’la from Sayyiduna ‘Ali al-Murtudah, Hadith 6163]

HADITH NO. 6

It is narrated that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said:

إِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ يَنْفَعُ مِمَّا نَزَلَ وَمِمَّا لَمْ يَنْزِلْ فَعَلَيْكُمْ عِبَادَ اللَّهِ بِالدُّعَاءِ
“All those calamities and misfortunes (Bala) that descends and that which will descend in the future can be averted and protected from, by Du‘a. So, Oh servant of Allah! Observe Du‘a!” [Narrated by Tirmidi and Hakim from Sayyiduna ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Umar, Sunan al-Tirmidi, Hadith 3471]

HADITH NO. 7

It is reported that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said:

و إن البلاء لينزل فيتلقاه الدعاء فيعتلجان إلى يوم القيامة
“When Bala descends, Du‘a intercepts it and then both wrestle till Qiyamah.” (i.e. Du‘a does not allow the Bala to descend to the earth.) [Reported by Bazar, Tabrani, and Hakim from Umm al-Mu'minin Sayyidah ‘A’ieshah Siddiqah, Mustadrak al-Hakim, Hadith 1813]

HADITH NO. 8

The Habib of Allah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam states:

الدُّعَاءُ مُخُّ العِبَادَةِDu‘a is the essence of worship.

HADITH NO. 9

It is reported that the Noble Prophet of Islam SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said:

ألا أدلكم على ما ينجيكم من عدوكم ويدر لكم أرزاقكم؟ تدعون اللّه في ليلكم ونهاركم؟ فإن الدعاء سلاح المؤمن
Must I not inform you of that thing which will protect you from your enemy and increase your sustenance? Make Du‘a to Allah day and night because Du‘a is a weapon of a Mu‘min. [Narrated by Abu Ya’la from Sayyiduna Jabir bin ‘Abdullah, Hadith 6164]

HADITH NO. 10

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam states:

مَنْ لَمْ يَسْأَلْ اللَّهَ يَغْضَبْ عَلَيْهِ
Allah casts His Anger on those who do not make Du‘a to Him. [Reported by Imam Ahmad, Ibn Abi Shaybah, and Al-Bukhari in Adab al Mufrad, Tirmidi, Ibn Maja and Hakim on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah, Hadith 3295]

Such concepts and meanings are also reported in the Hadith al-Qudsi as follows:

عَنِ النَّبى صَلَى اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ سَلَّمَ قَالَ قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالى مَن ْ لاَ يَدعُو نِى اَغضَب ُعَلَيهِ One who does not make Du’a to Me, I will direct My Anger at him. (Allah save us from this!) [Reported by Al-Askari in his Mawa’iz]

Oh Beloved! Du‘a is an amazing wealth that Allah I blessed His servants with, and through it gave them honour. There is nothing more effective and powerful in fulfilling needs in desperation besides Du‘as. Likewise, nothing is more potent in removing Bala than Du‘as. A person benefits from five things of a single Du‘a:

1. He is included in the category of ‘Abids (worshippers) because Du‘a by nature is ‘Ibadah, in fact, the secret of ‘Ibadah.
2. In Du‘a one acknowledges one’s inferiority and dependency in relation to the Omnipotent Lord and His Divine mercies. 3. Obedience to the sacred Shari'ah because it has laid great stress in making Du‘a’s and Divine Anger on those who doubt making Du‘a. 4. It is a great Sunnah of the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam as he made Du‘a frequently and ordered others to do the same. 5. It is a deterrent of Bala and achiever of goals as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. If man seeks security from Allah I from calamities, then the Merciful Lord will give it to him. If one seeks a desire to be fulfilled, the Sublime Creator will shower His mercies on him or else blesses him with Thawab in the Akhirah.

  The Master of the Sinless, Sayyiduna Rasoollulah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam states:

“A servant’s Du‘a is never void of three things:1) either his sins are forgiven, 2) or he benefits in this Duniyah 3) or virtues are accumulated for him in the akhirah. When the servant will observe this Thawab accumulated for him in the akhirah in recompensation for that which was not fulfilled in the Duniyah, then he will desire that none of his desires should have been fulfilled in the Duniyah, but rather be accumulated for the Akhirah.”

This desire and benefit is for him who desires so in this Duniyah when making Du‘a. It is advised that when making Du‘a, this ethic should be considered seriously.

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Visiting Madeena According to Hadiths

For some misguided people, who complete the Haj as it should be done forget to visit madeena. Though its not a part of Haj still visitng madna is taken as an act of Sunnath al Muakkadha, which is a hgh ranked sunnah.

following are some hadiths related...

Tabarruk with the Prophet's grave

    Dawud ibn Salih says: "[The Caliph] Marwan [ibn al-Hakam] one day saw a man placing his face on top of the grave of the Prophet. He said: "Do you know what you are doing?" When he came near him, he realized it was Abu Ayyub al-Ansari. The latter said: "Yes; I came to the Prophet, not to a stone." Ibn Hibban in his Sahih, Ahmad (5:422), Tabarani in his Mu`jam al-kabir (4:189) and his Awsat according to Haythami in al-Zawa'id (5:245), al-Hakim in his Mustadrak (4:515); both the latter and al-Dhahabi said it was sahih. It is also cited by al-Subki in Shifa' al-siqam (p. 126), Ibn Taymiyya in al-Muntaqa (2:261f.), and Haythami in al-Zawa'id (4:2).
    Mu`adh ibn Jabal and Bilal also came to the grave of the Prophet and sat weeping, and the latter rubbed his face against it. Ibn Maja 2:1320, Ahmad, Tabarani, Subki, Ibn `Asakir and Ibn Taymiyya.
    Hafiz al-Dhahabi writes in the compendium of his shaykhs entitled Mu`jam al-shuyukh (1:73) in the entry devoted to his shaykh Ahmad ibn `Abd al-Mun`im al-Qazwini (#58): "Ahmad ibn al-Mun`im related to us... [with his chain of transmission] from Ibn `Umar that the latter disliked to touch the Prophet's grave. I say: He disliked it because he considered it disrespect. Ahmad ibn Hanbal was asked about touching the Prophet's grave and kissing it and he saw nothing wrong with it. His son `Abd Allah related this from him. If it is said: "Why did the Companions not do this?" It is replied: "Because they saw him with their very eyes when he was alive, enjoyed his presence directly, kissed his very hand, almost fought with each other over the remnants of his ablution water, shared his purified hair on the day of the greater Pilgrimage, and even if he spat it would virtually not fall except in someone's hand so that he could pass it over his face. Since we have not had the tremendous fortune of sharing in this, we throw ourselves on his grave as a mark of commitment, reverence, acceptance, and kissing. Don't you see what Thabit al-Bunani did when he kissed the hand of Anas ibn Malik and placed it on his face saying: "This is the hand that touched the hand of Allah's Messenger"? Muslims are not moved to these matters except by their excessive love for the Prophet, as they are ordered to love Allah and the Prophet more than they love their own lives, their children, all human beings, their property, and Paradise and its maidens. There are even some believers that love Abu Bakr and `Umar more than themselves... Don't you see that the Companions, in the excess of their love for the Prophet, asked him: "Should we not prostrate to you?" and he replied no, and if he had allowed them, they would have prostrated to him as a mark of utter veneration and respect, not as a mark of worship, just as the Prophet Yusuf's brothers prostrated to Yusuf. Similarly the prostration of the Muslim to the grave of the Prophet is for the intention of magnification and reverence. One is not imputed disbelief because of it whatsoever (la yukaffaru aslan), but he is being disobedient [to the Prophet's reply to the Companions]: let him therefore be informed that this is forbidden. Similarly in the case of one who prays towards the grave."
    Imam Ahmad's son `Abd Allah said: "I asked my father about the man who touches and kisses the pommel of the Prophet's minbar to obtain blessing, or touches the grave of the Prophet. He responded by saying: "There is nothing wrong with it."" `Abd Allah also asked Imam Ahmad about the man who touches the Prophet's minbar and kisses it for blessing, and who does the same with the grave, or something to that effect, intending thereby to draw closer to Allah. He replied: "There is nothing wrong with it." This was narrated by `Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal in his book entitled al-`Ilal fi ma`rifat al-rijal (2:492).
    We already mentioned the authentic account whereby in the time of `Umar there was a drought during which Bilal ibn Harith came to the grave and said: "O Messenger of Allah, ask Allah for rain on behalf of your Community."
    We already mentioned `A'isha's account whereby she instructed that the roof be opened over the Prophet's grave in times of drought, and it would rain.
    `Umar sent a message to `A'isha saying: "Will you allow me to be buried with my two companions (the Prophet and Abu Bakr)?" She said, "Yes, by Allah," though it was her habit that if a man from among the Companions asked her that she would always refuse. Bukhari



    The merits of Madina, of prayer in Madina, of visiting the Masjid al-Nabawi, of living in Madina, of not cutting its trees, etc. are all based on the fact that the Prophet is there. The fact that it is a sanctuary (haram) and a preserve (hima) is well documented in numerous ahadith. It is even strongly recommended not to enter Madina except on foot, and many Companions, Tabi`in, and Tabi` al-Tabi`in never entered it except on foot, in respect for the Holy Presence of the Prophet.


    Narrated Ali ibn Abu Talib: The Prophet said: "Madina's fresh grass is not to be cut, its game is not to be driven away, and things dropped in it are to be picked up only by one who publicly announces it, and it is not permissible for any man to carry weapons in it for fighting, and it is not advisable that its trees are cut except what a man cuts for the fodder of his camel. [Abu Dawud, 10: 2030]


    Narrated Abu Hurayra: When the people saw the first fruit (of the season or of plantation) they brought it to Allah's Apostle. When he received it he said: "O Allah, bless us in our fruits; and bless us in our city; and bless us in our sa'smudd (i.e. in every measure). O Allah, Ibrahim was Thy servant, Thy friend, and Thy apostle; and I am Thy servant and Thy apostle. He (Ibrahim) made supplication to Thee for (the showering of blessings upon) Mecca, and I am making supplication to Thee for Madina just as he made supplication to Thee for Mecca, and the like of it in addition." He would then call to him the youngest child and give him these fruits. [Muslim, 7: 3170] and bless us in our

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Biography of Imam Ahmed bin Hambal (ra)

Imam Abu Abdullah Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Hambal (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala) was born in Marw on the 20th of Rabi-ul-Awwal 164 A.H.

EARLY LIFE: His father, Sayyiduna Mohammed (radi Allahu anhu) was a warrior (Mujaahid) and lived in Basrah, Iraq. Imam Ahmed bin Hambal (radi Allahu anhu) was a very intelligent child, keenly interested in furthering his Islamic education. At the age of 16, he began studying Hadith literature. It is said that he learnt almost a million Ahadith by heart. He became a famous Jurist.

HIS TEACHERS: Some of his teachers were Imam Shaafa'ee, Sayyiduna Bishar bin Al Mufaddal, Sayyiduna Ismail bin Ulayyah, Sayyiduna Jarir bin Abdul Hamid and Sayyiduna Yahya bin Said (radi Allahu anhumul ajma'in). The great compilers of Ahadith, Imam Bukhaari and Imam Muslim (radi Allahu anhuma), including his teacher, Imam Shaafa'ee (radi Allahu anhu), have also reported Hadith from him. Imam Shaafa'ee (radi Allahu anhu), in spite of being the most learned in his time, used to refer to Imam Ahmed bin Hambal (radi Allahu anhu) about certain Ahadith.

HIS PUPILS: Amongst his pupils, the most famous were Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Al Alhram, Sayyiduna Hambal bin Ishaaq and Sayyiduna Abul Qasim Al Baghwi (radi Allahu anhumul ajma'in).

HIS PIETY: Imam Ahmed bin Hambal (radi Allahu anhu) was a very pious scholar who devoted all his life in the Science of Ahadith and Fiqh. He refused to eat in anyone's house who held a Governmental post. Being extremely poor with no food to eat at times, he used to still refuse to accept charity saying that he had full faith in Almighty Allah.

HIS WORKS: The most famous among his books are: Kitaabul A'maal, Kitaabut Tafseer, Kitaabul Naasikh wal Mansookh, Kitaabul Zahid, Kitaabul Masaa'il, Kitaabul Fadaa'il and Kitaabul Mansiq. His most famous book is his "MUSNAD", a kitab in which he collected about 50 000 to 70 000 Ahadith.

IMPRISONMENT: Imam Ahmed bin Hambal (radi Allahu anhu), in the later years of his life, was imprisoned and tortured by the ruthless rulers who went against him due to their un-Islamic beliefs and practises. Caliph Mutasim billah forced the Imam to accept the beliefs of the "Mu'tazalis" (a corrupt sect), but he refused, and was beaten to such a degree that his joints were dislocated. He was kept in heavy chains for 30 months in a prison in Baghdad. He still refused to accept the beliefs of the corrupt Mu'tazali Sect and was again beaten till he fell unconscious.

PASSES AWAY: On the 25th of Ramadaan in the year 221 A.H., Caliph Mutasim, in fear of the sin he committed, repented and set the Imam free. Imam Ahmed bin Hambal (radi Allahu anhu) forgave all the people except the Mutazalis. He passed away in the year 241 A.H.

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Biography of Imam Malik (ra)

His Name: Malik bin Anas bin Malik bin Abi Aamir

His Kunya: (Patronymic filial name): Abu `Abdillah

His Lineage: Malik bin Anas bin Malik bin Abi Aamir bin `Amr bin al-Harith bin Ainmaan (Uthmaan) bin Khuthail (AL-ASBAHEE-a royal tribe branch of Himyar in Yemen)

Imaam Suyooti (RA) says that Imaam Malik's lineage goes to Ya'rab bin Yashjab bin Qahtaan. As some report in the following way: Zhu Asbah, al-Harith bin Malik bin Zaid bin Ghouth bin Sa'ad bin `Auoof bin `Adi bin Malik bin Zaid bin Sahl bin `Amr bin Qais bin Mu'awiya bin Jasham ibn `Abd Shams bin Daa'il bin al-Ghouth bin Qutn bin `Areeb bin Zhaheer bin Aiyman bin Humsee' bin Himyar bin Saba bin Yashjab bin Ya'rab bin Qahtaan.

Imaam Malik's Mother Name: `Aaliyah bint Shareek bin `Abdur Rahman al-Azdiyah

Other Names related to Him: Imaam Darul-Hijrah and al-Madni (due to his remaining in al-Madinah the majority of his life.

His Birth: According to Hafiz Zhahabi, Sam'aani ibn Farhoon, and others Imaam Malik was born in the year 93 A.H. due to the report of Yahya bin Bukair one of the elder students of the Imaam. Others have said he was born in 90 A.H. some say in 95 A.H. and Yaf'ee reports in Tabaqaatul-Fuqaha, 94 A.H. Extraordinarily, he remained in the womb on his mother for more than the usual 9 months. Some say two years while others say he remained in her womb for three years. He was born in Madinah.

His Appearance: Mutarraf bin `Abdullah al-Yasaari says that the Imaam was tall, well-built, fair complexion, blond-haired, large-eyes and nose, broad forehead with hardly any hair on it referred as (Asla') in Arabic ) the same is said about Umar and Ali (Radhi Allahu Anhuma). He had a very profuse and thick beard that reached down to his chest. He used to trim his moustache near the corners of his lips and said it was disapproved to fully shave them. He followed the Sunnah of Umar bin Khattab (Radhi Allahu Anhu) who used to pull his moustaches hair near the lips when he was in deep thought of something. From this it is established that Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu) had hair on both sides of the lips. He used to wear very elegent and expensive clothing, usually wearing white, and frequently changing them. He would put on Musk and other fragrances on his clothing. He would wear his turban and have part of it come down underneath his chin and the tail of it between his two shoulders. He would also wear a shawl-like garment that would cover the head and shoulders.

His Education and Knowledge: The Imaam's Family was in itself a place of knowledge where his childhood was in the beautiful gardens and land of Madinah. He learned and memorized the Qur'an in his youth. He recited to Imaamul-Qurra', Nafi' bin Abdur-Rahman (whose recitation is the foundation of the entire Muslim Ummah today and he passed away in the year 169 A.H.) and also received his (Sanad) certification and permission to teach others from him. In the beginning of his quest for knowledge the Imaam did not have many means to acquire it properly so he sold the ceiling beams of his home to purchase books and papers for enabling him to do so. After some time Allah SWT bestowed him with a lot of wealth and money. The Imaam's memory was also extraordinary. He himself would that anything I would record in my memory would never be forgotten again. It is reported about the Imaam that he had the best memory in all of Hijaz, likewise in the knowledge of Hadith and Fiqh. Imaam Shaf'iee (RA) says about him, "If Malik and Ibn Uyainah where not here, the knowledge of Hijaaz would be gone." Imaam Zhahabi say, "There remains no scholar in Madinah after the Tabi'een comparable to Imaam Malik's knowledge, jurisprudence, eminence, and memorization."

He practiced extreme care in regards to narrating Hadith for just anyone. Imaam Malik says, "I do not accept knowledge from four types of people: (1) a person well-known to be foolish, even though all the other people narrate from him, (2) a person involved in committing heresy and calling others towards the innovation in Deen, (3) a person who lies in regular conversation with people, even though I do not accuse him as liar in regards to Hadith, (4) and a person who is pious worshipper or scholar, but does not properly and correctly memorize what he narrates." It was said to Imaam Malik, "Why don't you take narrations from `Amr bin Dinaar? He replied, "I went to him (`Amr bin Dinaar and I found him narrating Hadith to others while in a standing position. So I thought to myself that the Hadith of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) is too great and majestic to take them in a standing position." The Imaam remained his entire life al-Hijaaz and never traveled outside of it.

In Hadith, the Imaam was the leader of all of Madinah, where his chain of narrators were the most authentic and called "SILSILATUL-ZHAHAB" or "THE GOLDEN CHAIN OF NARRATORS" (ie. Narrated from Malik from Nafi' from Ibn Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu). The Imaam would not just narrate Hadith from anyone, rather he would take great caution and narrate only from authentic and reliable sources. Even other great scholars and companions of his time bear witness to that like, Imaam of Makkah, Sufyaan bin Uyainah, who says, "May Allah have mercy upon Malik, he is extremely critical of the men (in regards to the chain of narrators of a Hadith). He would also say, "Imaam Malik only used to narrate to others authentic Hadith, he would not report except from reliable narrators, I don't see Madinah but in decrease (ie. in regards to the knowledge) after the death of Malik." One of his most greatest pupils, Imaam Shaf'iee (RA) says about him, "That when Imaam Malik was in doubt over a Hadith he would totally disregard it."

In Fiqh, the Imaam was on a higher level than all the rest. Bahlool bin Raashid says about him, "I have never seen someone with the knowledge of deducing from the Qur'an as Malik, along with his great recognition of strong and weak narrations." Abdullah bin Luhay'ah says, "I asked al-Nadhr bin Abdul-Jabbar (Abul-Aswad) who has a saying after Rabi'ah in Madinah? He relpied, al-Ghulam al-Asbahi (ie. Imaam Malik). Imaam Ahmed bin Hanbal says about the great Imaam, "I compared Imaam Malik to Awzaa'eey, Thawri, Laith, Hammaad, and al-Hakam in knowledge, and he is the leader in Hadith and Fiqh."

His Teachers and Instructors: Imaam Malik would only take knowledge from those men who were famous for their cleanliness, piety, and truthfulness, who were distinct in memorization and jurisprudence. The teachers mentioned in Muwatta from whom he narrated Hadith from are 95 in totol all of who were from Madinah. Thus making all of the various holders of knowledge who were scattered all around now brought together in one holder (Imaam Malik), this is why he earned the name of "IMAAM DARUL-HIJRAH." From all of the Imaam's teachers six of them were not from Madinah. So 95 teachers are only those mentioned in Muwatta. Otherwise, Allamah Zurqaani and Dulaqi have written that his teachers were over 900. Imaam Nawawi has written in Tahzeebul-Asmaa that of Imaam Malik's 900 teachers 300 were from the Tabi'een and 600 from the Tabi Tabi'een. The Imaam's greatest of all teachers was Nafi' the slave of Ibn Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu). Imaam Malik learned with him for twelve years and attained the knowledge of Hadith and Diraayah (Fiqh). It is for this reason that many narrations are from Nafi' (RA). This was called the golden chain of narrators because it was the best chain in Muwatta. Shah Waliullah Dehlawi has written that Harun al-Rashid asked Imaam Malik, "You have mentioned Ali and Ibn Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) only a few time in your book, why?" He replied, "They were not here in Madinah, nor did I find any of their students or companions." Shah Saheb writes on, "That this proud honor was given to Imaam Abu Hanifah (RA)." Also he says that Abdullah bin Masood narrations are even less than these two, Ali and Ibn Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma).

Here is a list of some of Imaam Malik's Shuyookh (Teachers): 1. Nafi' (the servant of Abdullah bin Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu) 2. Abul-Zanaad, Adbullah bin Zakwaan 3. Hishaam bin Urwah bin Zubair 4. Yahya bin Sa'eed al-Ansaari 5. Abdullah bin Dinaar 6. Zaid bin Aslam (servant of Umar bin Khattab(Radhi Allahu Anhu) 7. Muhammad bin Muslim bin Shihaab al-Zhuhri 8. Abdullah bin Abu Bakr bin Hazm 9. Sa'eed bin Abu Sa'eed al-Maqbari 10. Sumayy servant of Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) 11. Ayyub Sakhtiyaani 12. Abdur-Rahman bin al-Qasim bin Muhammad bin Abu Bakr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) 13. Thawr bin Zaid Dabli 14. Ibrahim bin Abi Ablah al-Maqdisi 15. Rabi'ah bin Abu Abdur-Rahman 16. Humayd Taweel 17. Aishah bint Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqas

In Qira'ah (recitation of Qur'an): Nafi' bin Abu Nuaym al-Qaari

His Pupils and Students: Imaam Malik's students reach to the thousands. Some have mentioned so many that they can not be counted, like Hafiz bin Katheer and Zhahabi. Qazi Iyyadh has mentioned over 1300 have narrated Hadith for the great Imaam. Hafiz Dar-Qutni has mentioned 1000. Hafiz Abu Bakr Khateeb al-Baghdadi has mentioned 993. Even some of the Imaam's Teachers were his students, like:

1. Zhuhri Abul-Aswad 2. Ayyub Sakhtiyaani 3. Rabi'ah al-Ra'iee 4. Yahya bin Sa'eed al-Ansaari 5. Muhammad bin Abi Zi'ab 6. Ibn Jareeh 7. A'amash 8. Abu Suhail, Nafi' bin Malik

Some eminent pupils were:

1. Imaam Muhammad 2. Imaam Shaf'iee 3. Abdullah bin Mubarak 4. Laith bin Sa'ad 5. Shu'bah 6. Sufyaan Thawri 7. Ibn Juraij 8. Ibn Uyainah 9. Yahya al-Qattaan 10. Ibn Mahdi 11. Abu Aasim al-nabeel 12. Abdur-Rahman Auwzaa'ee

Eminent narrators in Imaam Malik's Muwatta:

1. Abdullah bin Yusuf al-Tunisi 2. Abdullah bin Muslimah al-Qa'nabi 3. Abdullah bin Wahab al-Misri 4. Yahya bin Yahya al-Laithi 5. Abu Mus'ab al-Zhuhri

His respect of Teaching of Hadith: After Abdullah bin Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu) and his servant and pupil, Nafi' (RA) the great Imaam narrated Hadith and taught from the age of 17 to about 79. He gave service to the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam), giving lessons of Fiqh and issuing Fatawa for 62 years of his life. Before the Imaam would narrate any Hadith he would or dictate Hadith to others he would perform wudhu or take a bath, put on his best and most expensive clothing, groom himself, put on musk or another fragrance, then proceed to the gathering of Hadith with the utmost dignity and respect. In every gathering coal ambers of `Uood (a special and beautiful fragrance derived from a unique tree) would be burnt continuously until the lesson was over. In the Imaam's gatherings there would always be plush and expensive mats or carpeting spread out on the floor and when he would arrive there would be pin-drop silence out of the respect for him the people would remain totally quiet. In the gatherings their would be the students all around the sitting place of the Imaam, just like how a king's servants would gather around his throne. There would be Muftis, Ulama, and leaders present in the gathering. Such respect was present in these gatherings that anyone who pass by would think that a king must be delivering his message and one who sit down in it would be taken away with awe. Abdullah bin Mubarak reports that one time the Imaam was bitten by a scorpion under his garment over ten times while narrating Hadith. During the narration of the Hadith he did not stop in order to remove it, rather he continued to narrate until the end. I noticed the discoloration of his face when the Imaam was being bitten. Afterwards when all the people had left, I came to the Imaam and asked him what had happened. He replied, "A scorpion was biting me under my garment, I could not have kept my patience because of myself restraint, rather it was out of the respect of the Hadith of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) that I did not remove it. Subhanallah!!!

Some of His Aqeedah: Imaam Malik believed that the Qur'an, which is the last message of Allah, was Ghair Makhluq, not a creation. He also believed that Allah SWT is on His Throne just as he has described in the Qur'an. He believed that Allah SWT has the knowledge of everything and that the believers will see Him with their eyes on the Day of Judgment. He believed that Imaan (faith) is to declare it by mouth, and is manifested through actions that will increase by obedience and decrease by committing sins. He believed that anyone who uses abusive language against the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) should be given death and that repentance should not avail them. He believed that Hadhrat Abu Bakr and Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) were the best in the Ummah after the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) and that those who follow the beliefs of the Qadriyyah Sect, prayer is not valid behind them and their women can not be married.

His love for Madinah: Even when the Imaam attained old age and became very weak he never rode on an animal in Madinah his entire life. He understood that it was against the respect of Madinah to ride on the very land that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) is buried in. Imaam Shaf'iee (RA) says, "I saw at the door of Imaam Malik's home beautiful horses from Khurasaan and Egyptian Mules. So I said to him they were very nice. He said they are yours as a gift from me. I said that you should keep one for yourself. His reply was that I am embarrassed to do so! How can I ride on them when the body of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) is buried here in Madinah and the land is being rode on with the hooves of horses?

Some Saying about Him by Other Scholars

· Mus'ab Zubairi – Imaam Malik was reliable, safeguarded, trustworthy in Hadith, a great scholar, jurist, proof-bearer, and god-fearing man. · Yahya bin Mu'een – He is the Ameerul-Mumineen in Hadith. · Yahya bin Sa'eed al-Qattan – He is the Ameerul-Mumineen in Hadith. · Abdur-Rahman bin Mahdi – There is no more trustworthy in Hadith Nabawi on the face of this earth than Imaam Malik. · Abdur-Rahman bin Mahdi – Sufyaan Thawri is the Imaam of Hadith not the Imaam of Sunnah whlie Auwzaa'ee is the Imaam of Sunnah not the Imaam of Hadith, but Imaam Malik in the Imaam of Hadith and the Imaam of Sunnah. · Imaam Abu Hanifah – I have never seen anyone more fast understanding, correct answering, and test-taking than Imaam Malik. · Imaam Shaf'iee – After the Tabi'een Imaam Malik is the Proof-Bearer on this entire earth for or against all of the people. · Imaam Shaf'iee – Knowledge is encircled by three men: Malik bin Anas, Sufyaan bin Uyainah, and Laith bin Sa'ad. · Imaam Ahmed bin Hanbal – I was asked whose Hadith should be memorized by heart if from anyone? I replied Malik bin Anas. · Imaam Bukhaari – I was asked what is the most authentic chain of narrators. I replied from Malik from Nafi' from Ibn Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu). · Imaam Nasai – After the Tabi'een the most understanding, reliable, trustworthy, man in Hadith is Imaam Malik. He has hardly never narrated from a weak narrator apart from Abu Umayyah Abdul-Kareem who is Matrook. · Imaam Ahmed, Tirmizi, Nasai, and Haakim have all reported in a Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) that he said, "The time has come near that people will travel by camels in search for religious knowledge and they will not find a greater scholar than who is in Madinah." Sufyaan bin Uyainah says that the scholar of Madinah upon which the Hadith indicates is none other than Imaam Malik.

His Demise: The great Imaam reached the age of 84 or 86 or 87 or 90 years when he became ill on a Sunday and this illness continued to get worse for three weeks until on the 11th or 14th of Rabi-al-Awwal 179 A.H. he passed away. He was buried in the famous graveyard in Madinah called Jannatul-Baqee.

His Children: The great Imaam left behind three sons: Yayha, Muhammad, and Hammad. His remaining wealth that was inherited was 3300 dinaars.

Books Written by Imaam Malik: Imaam Malik wrote many books that can be referred to in the introduction of Oujasul-Masaalik (commentary of Muwatta Imaam Malik). Muwatta Imaam Malik is the first Hadith work after the Qur'an arranged into juristic Sections and organized accordingly. Imaam Bukhaari's Saheeh is secondary to the work of Imaam Malik in this regards. Then after these two (Imaam Malik and Imaam Bukhaari) others followed, like Imaam Muslim and Imaam Tirmizi, who based there books upon theirs. (Allamah Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabi).

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Imam Abu Hanifah (ra)

The book Qamoos al-alam states: Al-Imam al-azam Abu Hanifa's name was Numan. His father's name was Thabit. His grandfather's name was Numan, too. He was the first of the four great imams of the Ahl as-Sunnah Wal Jama'ah. 'Imam' means 'profoundly learned scholar.' He was one of the main pillars of the brilliant religion of Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam). He was a descendant of a Persian notable. His grandfather had embraced Islam. He was born in Kufa in 80 (698 A.D.). He was born early enough to see Anas ibn Malik, 'Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa, Sahl ibn Sad as-Sa'idi and Abu al-Fadl Amir ibn Wasila, four Sahaabis (Radi-Allahu ta'ala anhum). He learned 'ilm al-fiqh from Hammad ibn Abi Sulaiman. He enjoyed the companionship of many notables of the Tabi'een, and of Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala). He memorized innumerable Ahadith. He was brought up so as to become a great judge, but he became an imam al-madhhab. He had a superior, and amazingly keen intellect. In 'ilm al-fiqh, he attained an unequalled grade in a short time. His name and fame became worldwide.

Yazid ibn 'Amr, Governor of Iraq during the time of Marana ibn Muhammad, the fourteenth and last Umayyad Halifax, who was a grandson of Marwaan ibn Hakam (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala) and was killed five years after assuming the caliphate in Egypt in 132 (750 A.D.), proposed to Abu Hanifa (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala) to become a judge for the law-court of Kufa. But, since he had as much zuhd, taqwa and wara' as he had knowledge and intellect, he refused it. He was afraid of not being able to safeguard human rights because of human weaknesses. With a command from Yazid, he was given a whipping, hundred and ten blows to the head. His blessed face and head swelled. The next day, Yazid took the Imam out and oppressed him by repeating his offer. The Imam said, "Let me consult," and obtained permission to leave. He went to the blessed city of Mecca and stayed there for five or six years.

The 'Abbasid Khalifah Abu Ja'far Mansoor (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala) commanded him to be the chief of the Supreme Court of Appeal in 150 A.H. [767 A.D.]. He refused it and was put into jail. He was subjected to whipping, ten blows more every following day. When the number of whipping reached one hundred, he attained martyrdom. Abu Sad Muhammad ibn Mansoor al-Harizmi (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala), one of the viziers of Malikshah (447-485 A.H., the third Saljuqi Sultan and the son of Sultan Alparslan), had a wonderful dome built over his grave. Afterwards, Ottoman emperors embellished and had his tomb restored several times.

Abu Hanifa (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala) was the first who compiled and classified 'ilm al-fiqh, and he gathered information for each branch of knowledge. He wrote the books Fara'id and Shuroot. There are innumerable books describing his extensive knowledge on fiqh; his extraordinary ability in qiyaas; and his dumbfounding superiority in zuhd, taqwa, mildness and righteousness. He had many disciples, some of whom became among the great mujtahideen. The Hanafi Madhhab spread far and wide during the time of the Ottoman Empire. It almost became the official Madhhab of the State. Today, more than half of the Muslims on the earth and most of the Ahl as-Sunnah perform their 'ibaadah according to the Hanafi Madhhab. Citation from the book Qamoos-ul alam ends here. The book Mir'at al-ka'inat states: The ancestors of al-Imam al-azam (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala) come from the province of Faaris, Iran. His father, Habit, had met Imam 'Ali (Radi-Allahu 'anhu) in Kufa and Hadrat 'Ali had pronounced a benediction over him and his descendants. Al-Imam al-azam was one of the greatest among the Tabi'een and saw Anas ibn Malik (Radi-Allahu 'anhu) and three or seven more of the as-Sahaabat ul-kiram. He learned Hadith ash-Sharif from them.

A hadith ash-Sharif, which al-Imam al-Harizmi reported from Abu Hurairah (Radi-Allahu 'anhu) through isnaad muttasil (an uninterrupted chain of reporters), states: "Among my Ummah, there will come a man called Abu Hanifa. On the Day of Resurrection, he will be the light of my Ummah." Another hadith ash-Sharif states: "A man named Numan ibn Habit and called Abu Hanifa will appear and will revive Allah ta'ala's Religion and my Sunnah." And another one states: "In every century, a number of my Ummah will attain to high grades. Abu Hanifa will be the highest of his time." These three Ahadith are written in the book Mawdua'at al-'Uloom and in Durr-al-mukhtaar. This hadith ash-Sharif is also well known: "Among my Ummah, a man called Abu Hanifa will appear. There is a beauty spot between his two shoulder blades. Allahu ta'ala will revive His Religion through his hand."

Preface to Durr al-mukhtaar writes: "A hadith ash-Sharif states: As Adam ('alaihi 's-salaam) was proud of me so I am proud of a man of my Ummah named Numan and called Abu Hanifa. He is the light of my Ummah.' " Another hadith ash-Sharif states: "Prophets ('alaihimu 's-salaam) are proud of me. And I am proud of Abu Hanifa. He who loves him will have loved me. He who feels hostility towards him will have felt hostility towards me." These Ahadith are also written in the book Al-muqaddimah by the profound scholar Hadrat Abu 'l-Laith as-Samarqandi and in Taqadduma, which is a commentary to the former. In the preface to the fiqh book Al-muqaddimah by al-Ghaznawi Ahadith praising him are quoted.

In Diya' al-ma'nawi, a commentary on it, Qadi Abi 'l-Baqa said, 'Abul-Faraj 'Abdur-Rahman ibn al-Jawzi, based on the words of al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi, said that these Ahadith were made'. Yet this remark of his is bigotry, for these Ahadith were reported by several chains of transmitters. Ibn 'Abidin, in his commentary on Durr al-mukhtaar, proved that these Ahadith were not made' and quoted the following hadith ash-Sharif from the book Al-khairaat al-hisaan by Ibn Hajar al-Makki: "The ornament of the world will be taken away in the year 150." He went on, "The great fiqh scholar Shams al-aimmah 'Abdul-Ghaffaar al-Kardari (d. 562/1166 A.D.) said, "It is obvious that this hadith ash-Sharif refers to al-Imam al-azam Abu Hanifa, since he passed away in 150." A hadith ash-Sharif given by al-Bukhaari and Muslim says, "If imaan went to the planet Venus, a man of Faaris (Persian) descent would bring it back." Imam as-Suyuti, a Shafi'i alim, remarked, "It has been communicated unanimously that this hadith ash-Sharif refers to al-Imam al-azam." Numan Alusi writes in the book Ghaliyya that this hadith ash-Sharif refers to Abu Hanifa and that his grandfather descended from a Faaris family. 'Allamah Yusuf, a Hanbali scholar, quoted in his work Tanwir as-sahifa from Hafiz 'Allamah Yusuf ibn 'Abdul-Barr (b. 368/978 and d. 463/1071 in Shaatiba), Qadi of Lisbon, Portugal, 'Do not slander Abu Hanifa and do not believe those who slander him! I swear by Allahu ta'ala that I know not a person superior to him, having more wara', or being more learned than he. "Do not believe what al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi said! He was antipathetic towards the 'ulama'. He slandered Abu Hanifa, Imam Ahmad and their disciples.

The 'ulama' of Islam refuted al-Khateeb and censured him. Ibn al-Jawzi's grandson, 'Allamah Yusuf Shams ad-din al-Baghdadi, wrote in his forty-volume book Mirat az-zaman that he was astonished to know that his grandfather had followed al-Khateeb. Imam al-Ghazaali (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala), in his Ihya', praises al-Imam al-azam with such words as ''abid', 'zahid' and 'al-'arif billah'. If the Sahaabat ul-Kiraam and the 'ulama' of Islam had different points of view from one another, it was not because they did not approve of each other's words or because they were unsociable to one another or because they disliked one another; mujtahideen (rahmat-Allahi ta'ala 'alaihim ajmain) disagreed with one another concerning ijtihaad for Allah ta'ala's sake and to help the religion."1]

An alim dreamt of Rasulullah (sall-Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and asked him, 'What would you say about Abu Hanifa's knowledge?' He answered, 'Everybody needs his knowledge.' Another alim asked in his dream, 'O Rasul-Allah! What would you say about the knowledge Numan ibn Habit has, who lives in Kufa?' He answered, "Learn from him and do as he says. He is a very good person." Imam 'Ali (Radi-Allahu 'anhu) said, "Let me inform you of a person called Abu Hanifa, who will live in Kufa. His heart will be full of knowledge and hikmah (wisdom). Towards the end of the world, many people will perish because of not appreciating him, just as the Shiites will perish because of not having appreciated Abu Bakr and 'Umar (Radi-Allahu 'anhuma)."

Imam Muhammad al-Baaqir ibn Zain al-'Abidin 'Ali ibn Hussain (rahmat-Allahi 'alaihim, b. 57 A.H. in Medina and d. 113, buried in the shrine of Hadrat 'Abbas [Radi-Allahu 'anhu] in Medina) looked at Abu Hanifa and said, "When those who destroy the religion of my ancestors increase in number, you will revive it. You will be the savior of those who fear and the shelter of those who are confused! You will lead the heretics to the right way! Allahu ta'ala will help you!" When he was young, al-Imam al-azam (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala) studied 'ilm al-kalaam and ma'rifah and became very skillful. Then after serving Imam Hammad for twenty-eight years, he attained maturity. When Hammad passed away, he took his place as a mujtahid and Mufti.

His knowledge and superiority became known far and wide. His virtue, intelligence, sagacity, zuhd, taqwa, trustworthiness, readiness of wit, devotion to Islam, righteousness and his perfection in every respect as a human being were above those of all others of his time. All the mujtahideen and those who succeeded him and noble people -even Christians- praised him. Al-Imam ash-Shafi'i (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala) said, "All men of fiqh are Abu Hanifa's children." He said once, "I get blessings (tabarruk) from Abu Hanifa's soul. I visit his tomb every day. When I am in difficulty, I go to his tomb and perform two rak'ah of salaat. I invoke Allahu ta'ala, and He gives me what I wish." Al-Imam ash-Shafi'i was a disciple of Imam Muhammad.2 He remarked, "Allahu ta'ala bestowed knowledge upon me through two persons. I learned the Hadith ash-Sharif from Sufyaan ibn 'Uyaynah and fiqh from Muhammad ash-Shaibaani."

He said once, "In the field of religious knowledge and in worldly affairs, there is one person to whom I am grateful. He is Imam Muhammad." And again, al-Imam ash-Shafi'i said, "With what I learned from Imam Muhammad I have written a pack-animal-load of books. I would not have acquired anything of knowledge had he not been my teacher. All men of knowledge are the children of the 'ulama' of Iraq, who were the disciples of the 'ulama' of Kufa. And they were the disciples of Abu Hanifa." Al-Imam al-azam acquired knowledge from four thousand people. The 'ulama' of every century wrote many books describing the greatness of al-Imam al-azam. In the Hanafi Madhhab, five hundred thousand religious problems were solved and all of them were answered. [Editor's note: It is to be noted that that number is close to doubled in the present-day era.]

Al-Hafiz al-kabir Abu Bakr Ahmad al-Harizmi wrote in his book Musnad, "Saif al-aimmah reports that when al-Imam al-azam Abu Hanifa derived a matter from Qur'an al-karim and Hadith ash-Sharif, he would propound it to his masters. He would not give the answer to the inquirer unless all of them confirmed it." One thousand of his disciples attended all his classes when he taught in the mosque of Kufa city. Forty of them were mujtahideen. When he found the answer for a matter he would propound it to his disciples. They would study it together and, when they were all in agreement that it was consistent with Qur'an al-karim and Hadith ash-Sharif and with the words of the Sahaabat al-kiraam, he would be delighted and say, "Al-hamdu lillah wallahu Akbar," and all those who were present would repeat his words. Then he would tell them to write it down."

It is written in the book Radd al-Wahhabi 3: [THE FOLLOWING IS A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF INFORMATION!!!] "Being a mujtahid requires first being specialized in the Arabic language and in the various linguistic sciences such as awda', sahih, marwi, mutawaatir; ways of radd; made' vocabulary; fasih, radi and mazmun forms; mufrad, shadh, nadir, mustamal, muhmal, mu'rab, marifa, ishtiqaq, haqiqa, majaz, mushtarak, izdad, mutlaq, muqayyad, ibdal and qalb. Next you must be specialized in sarf, nahw, ma'ani, bayan, badi', balaghat, 'ilm al-usul al-fiqh, 'ilm al-usul al-hadith, 'ilm al-usul at-tafsir, and have memorized the words of the imams of jarh and tadil. Being a faqih requires, in addition to these, knowing the proof for every matter and studying the meaning, the murad and tawil of the proof.

Being a muhaddith, that is, a scholar of hadith, requires only memorizing the Ahadith as one heard them; it is not compulsory to know the meanings, murads, tawils, or to understand the proofs for the rules of Islam. If a faqih and a muhaddith disagree with each other about a hadith ash-Sharif, e.g. if the former says that it is sahih and the latter says that it is daif, the faqih's word will be valid. Therefore, al-Imam al-azam's word or decision is more valuable than all the others because he was the first mujtahid and the highest faqih due to his having heard many Ahadith directly from the Sahaabat al-kiraam without any intervention. A hadith ash-Sharif that was said to be sahih by this exalted imam was said to be sahih by all Islamic scholars. A muhaddith cannot be in the grade of a faqih. And he can never reach the grade of an imam al-madhhab."

'Abdulhaq ad-Dahlawi, a scholar of hadith, wrote in his book Sirat-i mustaqim, "Some Ahadith which al-Imam ash-Shafi'i took as documents were not taken as documents by al-Imam al-azam Abu Hanifa. Seeing this, the la-madhhabi used it as an opportunity for traducing al-Imam al-azam and claimed that Abu Hanifa had not followed the hadith ash-Sharif. However, Hadrat al-Imam al-azam Abu Hanifa found and took other Ahadith which were more sahih and dependable in documenting the matter."

A hadith ash-Sharif states: "The most beneficial ones of my Ummah are those who live in my time. The next most beneficial ones are those who succeed them. And the next most beneficial ones are those who will come after them." This hadith ash-Sharif shows that the Tabi'een were more beneficial than Taba' at-Tabi'een. The Islamic 'ulama' all agree that al-Imam al-azam Abu Hanifa saw some of the as-Sahaabat al-kiraam, heard Ahadith from them, and, therefore, was one of the Tabi'een. For example, al-Imam al-azam heard the hadith, "A person who builds a mosque for Allahu ta'ala's sake will be given a villa in Paradise," from 'Abdullah ibn Awfa, who was a Sahaabi.

Jalaal ad-din as-Suyuti, a Shafi'i scholar, wrote in his book Tabyid as-sahifa that al-Imam 'Abdulkarim, one of the Shafi'I scholars, wrote a complete book describing the Sahaabis whom al-Imam al-azam had seen. It is written in Durr al-mukhtaar that al-Imam al-azam saw seven Sahaabis. Among the four aimmat al-madhahib, only al-Imam al-azam was honored with being one of the Tabi'een. It is a rule in 'ilm al-usool that the view of those who admit something is preferred to the view of those who refuse it. It is obvious that al-Imam al-azam Abu Hanifa, being one of the Tabi'een, is the highest of the aimmat al-madhahib. The la-madhhabis' denying al-Imam al-azam's superiority or their trying to vilify this exalted Imam by saying that he was weak in the knowledge of hadith, is similar to their denying the superiority of Hadrat Abu Bakr and Hadrat 'Umar (Radi-Allahu 'anhuma).

This perverse negation of theirs is not a sort of illness that can be cured by preaching or advice. May Allahu ta'ala cure them! The Muslims' Khalifah 'Umar (Radi-Allahu 'anhu) said during his khutbah: "O Muslims! As I tell you now, Rasulullah (sall-Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam) told us during his khutbah: "The most beneficial people are my Sahaabah. The most beneficial after them are their successors. And the next most beneficial are those who will come after them. There will be liars among those who will come after these.' " The four Madhhabs which Muslims have been following and imitating today are the Madhhabs of those beneficial people whose beneficence was corroborated by Rasulullah (sall-Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam). The Islamic 'ulama' declare in consensus that it is not permissible to adopt a Madhhab other than these four Madhhabs.

Ibn Nujaim al-Misri (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala), author of the book Bahr ar-ra'iq, wrote in his work Ashbah, "Hadrat al-Imam ash-Shafi'i said that a person who wanted to be a specialist in the knowledge of fiqh should read Abu Hanifa's books." Abdullah Ibn Mubaarak said, "I have not seen another specialist as learned as Abu Hanifa in the knowledge of fiqh. The great alim Mis'ar used to kneel in front of Abu Hanifa and learn what he did not know by asking him. I have studied under a thousand 'ulama'. Yet, had I not seen Abu Hanifa, I would have slipped into the bog of Greek philosophy." Abu Yusuf said, "I have not seen another person as profoundly learned as Abu Hanifa in the knowledge of hadith. There is not another alim who can expound Ahadith as competently as he did." The great alim and mujtahid Sufyaan ath-Thawri said, "In comparison with Abu Hanifa, we were like sparrows with a falcon. Abu Hanifa is the leader of the 'ulama'." 'Ali ibn Asim said, "If Abu Hanifa's knowledge were to be measured with the total knowledge of all the 'ulama' contemporary with him, Abu Hanifa's knowledge would prove to be greater."

Yazid ibn Harun said, "I studied under a thousand 'ulama'. Among them I did not see anyone who had as much wara' as Abu Hanifa did or who was as wise as Abu Hanifa (Rihimahu Allahu Ta'ala)." Muhammad ibn Yusuf ash-Shafi'i, one of the Damascene 'ulama', praises al-Imam al-azam Abu Hanifa much, explains his superiority in detail, and says that he is the leader of all mujtahideen in his book Uqud al-jaman fi manaqibi'n-Numan. Al-Imam al-azam Abu Hanifa said, "We esteem and love Rasulullah's ('alaihi 's-salam) Ahadith above all. We search for the words of the Sahaabat al-kiraam, choose and adopt them. As for the words of the Tabi'een, they are like our words. Translation from the book Radd-i Wahhabi ends here. This book was printed in India and in Istanbul, in 1264 (1848 A.D.) and in 1401 (1981 A.D.), respectively.

In the book Sayf-ul-muqallidin ala a'nak-il-munkirin, Mawlana Muhammad 'Abdul-Jalil wrote in Persian: "The la-madhhabi say that Abu Hanifa was weak in the knowledge of hadith. This assertion of theirs shows that they are ignorant or jealous. Al-Imam az-Zahabi and Ibn Hajar al-Makki say that al-Imam al-azam wasan alim of hadith. He learned Ahadith from four thousand 'ulama'. Three hundred of them were among the Tabi'een and were 'ulama' of hadith. Al-Imam ash-Sharaani says in the first volume of al-Mizaan, 'I have studied three of al-Imam al-azam's Musnads. All of them transmit information from the well-known 'ulama' of the Tabi'een.' Hostility which the la-madhhabi people bear against the Salaf as-saliheen and their jealousy towards the mujtahid imams, particularly towards their leader al-Imam al-Muslimeen Abu Hanifa, must have obstructed their perception and conscience to the extent that they deny the beauty and superiority of these Islamic 'ulama'.

They are intolerant of the fact that pious people have what they do not have. It is for this reason that they deny the superiority of the imams of Islam and thus venture into the shirk (polytheism) of jealousy. It is written in the book Hada'iq: "When al-Imam al-azam Abu Hanifa memorized Ahadith he wrote them down. He kept the hadith books he wrote in wooden boxes, some of which he always kept at hand wherever he went. His quoting only a few Ahadith does not show that the number of Ahadith he memorized was small. Only bigoted enemies of Islam may say so. This bigotry of theirs proves al-Imam al-azam's perfection; an inept person's slandering the learned indicates the former's perfection." Founding a great Madhhab and answering hundreds of thousands of questions by documenting them with ayahs and Ahadith could not have been done by a person who was not deeply specialized in the sciences of tafsir and hadith. In fact, bringing forth a new, unique Madhhab without a model or an example is an excellent proof for al-Imam al-azam's expertise in the sciences of tafsir and hadith. Because he worked with extraordinary energy and brought forth this Madhhab, he did not have time to quote the Ahadith or to cite their transmitters one by one; this cannot be grounds for denigrating that exalted imam by jealously casting aspersions on him by saying that he was weak in the knowledge of hadith. It is a known fact that riwayah (transmitting) without dirayah (ability, intelligence) has no value. For example, Ibn Abdul-Barr said, "If riwayah without dirayah were valuable, a dustman's quoting a hadith would be superior to Luqman's intelligence."

Ibn Hajar al-Makki was one of the 'ulama' in the Shafi'i Madhhab, but he wrote in his book Qala'id: "The great alim of hadith A'mash asked al-Imam al-azam Abu Hanifa many questions. Al-Imam al-azam answered each of his questions by quoting Ahadith. After seeing al-Imam al-azam's profound knowledge in hadith, A'mash said, 'O, you, the 'ulama' of fiqh! You are like specialized doctors, and we the 'ulama' of hadith are like pharmacists. We cite Ahadith and their transmitters, but you are the ones who understand their meanings.' " It is written in the book 'Uqud al-jawahiri 'l-munifa: "While 'Ubaidullah ibn 'Amr was in the company of the great alim of hadith A'mash, someone came up and asked a question. As A'mash thought about the answer, al-Imam al-azam joined in. A'mash repeated the question to the Imam and requested an answer. Al-Imam al-azam immediately answered it in detail.

Admiring the answer, A'mash said, "O Imam! From which hadith do you derive this?' Al-Imam al-azam quoted the hadith ash-Sharif from which he derived the answer and added, 'I heard this from you.' " Al-Imam al-Bukhaari knew three hundred thousand Ahadith by heart. He wrote only twelve thousand of them in his books because he feared very much the threat in the hadith ash-Sharif, "If a person quotes, in the name of hadith, what I have not uttered, he will be tormented very bitterly in Hell." Having much wara' and taqwa, al-Imam al-azam imposed very heavy conditions for the transmitting of Ahadith. He would quote only those Ahadith fulfilling these conditions. Some 'ulama' of hadith transmitted numerous Ahadith because their branch was wider and their conditions were lighter. The 'ulama' of hadith never belittled one another on account of differing conditions. Had this not been so, Imam Muslim would have said something to offend al-Imam al-Bukhaari (rahmat-Allahi ta'ala 'alaihima). Al-Imam al-azam Abu Hanifa's transmitting only a few Ahadith because of his circumspection and taqwa is only a good reason for praising and lauding him."4

The book Mirat al-ka'inat goes on: "Al-Imam al-azam Abu Hanifa (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala) performed morning prayer in a mosque and answered his disciples' questions until noon every day. After noon prayer, he taught his disciples again until night prayer. Then he would go home and, after resting for a while, return to the mosque and worship until morning prayer. Mis'ar ibn Kadam al-Kufi, one of the Salaf as-saliheen, who passed away in 115 (733 A.D.), and many other great people reported this fact. He earned his living in a halaal way by trading. He sent goods to other places and with his earnings he met the needs of his disciples. He spent much for his household and gave an equal amount as alms to the poor. Moreover, every Friday he distributed twenty gold coins to the poor for his parents' souls. He did not stretch his legs towards his teacher Hammad's (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala) house, though he lived at a distance of seven streets away. Once he found out that one of his partners had sold a large amount of goods incompatibly with Islam. He distributed all the ninety thousand aqchas earned to the poor, not taking one penny of it. After brigands had raided the villages of Kufa and had stolen sheep, he, thinking that these stolen sheep might be slaughtered and sold in the town, did not eat mutton for seven years, for he knew that a sheep lived seven years at the longest. He abstained from the haraam to that degree. He observed Islam in his every action.

For forty years al-Imam al-azam (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala) performed the morning prayer with the ablution he had made for the night prayer [that is, he did not sleep after the night prayer.] He performed hajj fifty-five times. During the last one, he went into the Ka'bah, performed a prayer of two rak'ah and recited the whole Qur'an al-karim during the prayer. Then, weeping, he invoked, "O my Allahu ta'ala! I have not been able to worship Thee in a manner worthy of Thee. Yet I have understood very well that Thou cannot be comprehended through intelligence. For this understanding of mine, please forgive the defects in my service! At that moment a voice was heard, "O Abu Hanifa! You have acknowledged me very well and have served me beautifully. I have forgiven you and those who will be in your Madhhab and follow you until the end of the world." He read Qur'an al-karim from the beginning to the end once every day and once every night.

Al-Imam al-azam had so much taqwa that for thirty years he fasted every day [except the five days of a year on which it is haraam to fast]. He often read the whole Qur'an al-karim in one rak'ah or two. And sometimes, during salaat or outside it, he read an ayah describing Heaven and Hell over and over again and sobbed and lamented.5 those who heard him pitied him. Among the Ummah of Muhammad ('alaihi 's-salam), reciting the whole Qur'an al-karim in a single rak'ah of salaat fell to the lot of only 'Uthman ibn 'Affan, Tamim ad-Daari, Sad ibn Jubair and al-Imam al-azam Abu Hanifa. He did not accept any presents from anyone. He wore clothes like those of the poor. Yet at times, in order to exhibit the blessings of Allahu ta'ala, he wore very valuable clothes. He performed hajj fifty-five times and stayed in Mecca for several years. Only at the place where his soul was taken, he had read the whole Qur'an al-karim seven thousand times. He said, "I laughed once in my life, and I regret it."

He talked little and thought much. He discussed some religious matters with his disciples. One night, while leaving the mosque immediately after performing the night prayer in jama'ah, he began to talk with his disciple Zufar on some subject. One of his feet was inside the mosque and the other was outside. The conversation continued until the morning adhan. Then, without taking the other step out, he went back in for the morning prayer. Because Hazrat 'Ali (Radi-Allahu 'anhu) had said, "It is permissible to have a personal allowance of up to four thousand dirhams," he distributed to the poor what was more than four thousand dirhams of his earnings. The Khalifah Mansoor revered the Imam very much. He presented him ten thousand aqchas and a jariyah. The Imam did not accept them. At that time one aqcha was worth one dirham of silver. In 145 A.H., Ibrahim ibn 'Abdullah ibn Hasan ibn 'Ali was recruiting men in order to help his brother Muhammad (rahmat-Allahi ta'ala 'alaihim ajmain), who had proclaimed himself the Khalifah in al-Madinat al-munawwarah. When he came to Kufa, it was rumored that Abu Hanifa was helping him. Mansoor heard this and had the Imam taken from Kufa to Baghdad. He told him to tell everybody that Mansoor was rightfully the Khalifah. He offered him the presidency of the Supreme Court of Appeal as recompense. He imposed on him very much. The Imam did not accept it. Mansoor imprisoned him and had him thrashed with a stick thirty strokes. His blessed feet bled. Mansoor repented and sent him thirty thousand aqchas, only to be refused again. He was imprisoned again and thrashed ten strokes more every day.

According to some report, on the eleventh day, for fear that the people might rebel, he was forced to lie down on his back and poisonous sherbet (a sweet fruit drink) was poured into his mouth. As he was about to die, he prostrated (sajdah). Some fifty thousand people performed janazah salaat for him. Because of the enormous crowd, it was performed with difficulty and finished not before the late afternoon prayer. For twenty days many people came to his tomb and performed janazah salaat for him near his tomb. He had seven hundred and thirty disciples. Each of them was famed for his virtue and pious deeds. Many of them became Qadis or Muftis. His son Hammad (Rahimahu Allahu Ta'ala) was one of his notable disciples. Passages from the book Mirat-ul-kainat ends here. They have been leaders guiding the ahl-i din, rahmat-Allahi 'alaihim ajmain.

There were some disagreements between al-Imam al-azam and his disciples on the information that was to be deduced through ijtihaad. The following hadith ash-Sharif declares that these disagreements were useful: "Disagreement (on the 'amal, practices) among my Ummah is [Allahu ta'ala's] compassion." He feared Allahu ta'ala very much and was very careful in following Qur'an al-karim. He said to his disciples, "If you come across a document (sanad) inconsistent with my words on a subject, ignore my words and follow that document." All his disciples swore, "Even our words inconsistent with his words surely depend on a proof (dalil, sanad) we had heard from him."

Hanafi Muftis have to issue fatwas agreeable with what al-Imam al-azam said. If they cannot find his word, they should follow Imam Abu Yusuf. After him, Imam Muhammad should be followed. If the words of Imam Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad are on one side and those of al-Imam al-azam on the other, a Mufti may issue a fatwa according to either side. When there is darura (a pressing difficulty), he may issue a fatwa suitable with the words of the mujtahid who showed the easiest way. He cannot issue a fatwa that does not depend on the words of any of the mujtahideen; such an issue cannot be called a fatwa.

FOOTNOTES

1. It is explained in the second fascicle of Endless Bliss that a made' hadith does not mean 'false, made-up hadith' in 'ilm al-usool al-hadith.

2. Al-Imam al-azam Abu Hanifa's two leading disciples were al-Imam Muhammad bin Mubaarak al-Shaybaani and Al-Imam Abu Yusuf al-Ansaari (rahmat-Allahi ta'ala 'alaihim).

3. First published in India in 1264 (1848 A.D.); reprinted in Persian in Istanbul in 1401 (1981 A.D.).

4. Saif al-muqallidin 'ala a'naqi 'l-munkirin.

5. Crying out of love for Allah ta'ala in salaat does not break the salaat in the Hanafi Madhhab

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