Author: Mufti Abu Saeed Al-Rashid
Imam al-A‘zam Abu Hanifah (RA): The Role Model (part 6)
Collection of Articles
The Methodology of Imam Abu Hanifah (RA) in Deriving Rulings and the Strength of His Evidence
In the name of Allah
Introduction
نحمده ونستعینه ونستغفره، ونؤمن به ونتوکل عليه ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا ومن سيئات أعمالنا، من يهده الله فلا مضل له، ومن يضلل فلا هادي له. وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، وأشهد أن محمدًا عبده ورسوله. اللهم صلِّ وسلِّم على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين.
And after that: Among the four well-known schools of thought in the Islamic world, the school of Imam Abu Hanifah (RA) is the oldest, most distinguished, strongest, and most cautious. This is because its founder was a great jurist and scholar, Imam Abu Hanifah (RA), regarding whom Imam al-Shafi‘i (RA) said: “من أراد أن يتبحر في الفقه فهو عيال علي أبي حنيفة.(1)” Translation: “Whoever wishes to attain mastery in Islamic jurisprudence is dependent upon Abu Hanifah.”
Since the Hanafi school is followed by approximately sixty percent (60%) of the Muslims of the world, its followers reside throughout a vast portion of the Muslim world—including the regions of Sham, Iraq, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Türkiye, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and nearly all of Afghanistan. Likewise, the majority of Muslims in China, India, and Brazil also follow the Hanafi school. In addition, Hanafi communities are found in considerable numbers throughout many other parts of the world.
Because so many people throughout the world follow the school of Imam al-A‘zam Abu Hanifah (RA), it is essential that we understand the strength and evidence of our school and remain steadfast upon it. At the same time, we must maintain complete respect for the other three schools of thought (Maliki, Shafi‘i, and Hanbali). This article examines the methodology of legal deduction within the Hanafi school and the strength of its evidence so as to refute the baseless accusations and unwarranted criticisms directed against it by certain individuals who lack knowledge of fiqh, ijtihad, and scholarly depth.
Allah is the granter of success and assistance, and He is sufficient for me and the best disposer of affairs.
Keywords: Derivation of rulings, Imam Abu Hanifah (RA), legal reasoning.
The Importance of the Research
For centuries, the people of Afghanistan as a whole have adhered to the Hanafi school. However, in recent times, on the one hand, certain biased circles have launched unfounded criticisms against the Hanafi school, and on the other hand, many of our youth lack sufficient knowledge regarding the value and strength of the evidence upon which their school is based. This deficiency makes them vulnerable to the schemes of opponents. Therefore, beneficial and detailed studies must be produced in this field so that our younger generation may become aware of the validity of their school and remain protected from such misconceptions.
Reasons for the Research
This study has three primary motivations:
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During the past twenty years (the period of occupation), extensive efforts were made in Afghanistan to promote anti-madhhab ideologies, resulting in increased religious disagreements within Afghan society.
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Furthermore, under the false slogan of “freedom of religion and expression” during the republican era, opportunities were provided for irresponsible individuals to alter their religious affiliations and spread doubts regarding established schools of thought.
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Thirdly, the “Kalimat” administration organized a significant conference regarding the virtues of Imam al-A‘zam Abu Hanifah (RA) and the Hanafi school and requested us to prepare a written contribution on this subject.
Objectives of the Research
This research seeks to achieve the following objectives:
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To increase public awareness regarding the Hanafi school.
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To clarify the reasons for the preference and superiority of the Hanafi school.
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To address unjust criticisms directed against the Hanafi school.
Research Methodology
This article employs both analytical and descriptive approaches. In preparing it, books, libraries, and various information sources were consulted, with particular attention given to research studies and scholarly articles related to the subject.
Preface
In Islamic jurisprudence, derivation (istinbat) refers to the process through which jurists extract legal rulings for new and evolving issues in light of the Qur’an, Sunnah, consensus (ijma‘), analogy (qiyas), and other recognized sources of Islamic law.
This science of derivation constitutes a fundamental component of Islamic jurisprudence and is essential for the exercise of ijtihad by scholars and for the completion and application of the rulings of Shari‘ah.
Imam al-A‘zam Abu Hanifah (RA), one of the most renowned and authoritative Imams of Ahl al-Sunnah, possessed a distinctive methodology in legal deduction. In extracting legal rulings, he conducted profound and extensive studies of the revealed texts and utilized various principles such as analogy (qiyas), consensus (ijma‘), juristic preference (istihsan), customary practice (‘urf), and the legal judgments of the noble Companions.
His methodology was not limited merely to deriving rulings from the Qur’an and Hadith; rather, he also relied upon consensus, analogy, juristic preference, the statements of the Companions, and accepted customs in explaining legal rulings. These methods of legal deduction played a major role in the development of Islamic jurisprudence and continue to serve as a foundation of Hanafi legal thought to this day.
Definition of Legal Reasoning (Istidlal)
“Istidlal” refers to presenting evidence in support of a position or requesting evidence from another person.
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