Imam Abu Haneefa

THE IMAMS OF THE FOUR MAZH-HABS

In this section we discuss some details about the lives of the "famous four" in Fiqah, viz. Imam Abu Haneefa, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’ and Imam Ahmad bin Hambal (may Allah send mercy upon them all). We shall treat this article in chronological order, Insha-Allah.
IMAM ABU HANEEFA

NAME: ABU HANEEFA NU'MAN BIN THABIT KOOFI. His father Thabit was born a Muslim. During his childhood Thabit was taken into the presence of Hazrat Ali radhiyallahu anhu who made dua of barkat for him. Thabit’s ancestors were from Persia.
BIRTH: He was born in Koofa in the year 80 A.H.
RANKING: Imam Abu Haneefa was a Tabi'ee, since he saw Hazrat Anas radhiyallahu anhu several times when the latter visited Koofa.
HIS TEACHERSHe had 65 teachers, among them were the following famous figures: Nafi’, the student of Abdullah bin Umar radhiyallahu anhu; Ikrama, the student of Abdullah bin Abbas radhiyallahu anhu; Ibni Shihaab Zuhri; Hammaad; Abu Ja’far Muhammad Baaqir, rahmatullahi alaihim.
HIS STUDENTSThousands learnt from this great Imam, hence the exact figure is not estimable. Some famous names are mentioned here:
Imam Abu Yusuf, Muhammad, Hasan bin Ziyad, Zufar bin Huzail, Wakee' bin Jarraah, Abdullah bin Mubarak, Hafs bin Giyaath, who was also the head of the Soofiyah in his time, Yusuf bin Ghalid.
ATTRIBUTES AND FEATURES OF HIS LIFEHis father was a cloth-merchant, so he inherited this business from his father. His ibadat was such that for forty years he performed Fajr salaa with the Esha wuzu. He fasted for thirty years consecutively. He made seven thousand ghatams (complete recitals) of the Quran in the place were he eventually died. He was of medium height, had a tanned (light brownish) complexion. He always dressed well and used perfume (ittar) in abundance. He would be recognised without even being seen, by the fragrance of his ittar wherever he went.
He performed Hajj 55 times. During his last Hajj he completed the recitation of the entire Quran in two rakaats salaah, inside the Holy Ka’bah.
Such was his taqwa that he would never benefit from the shade of the house of his debtor.