Author: Abdul Hameed Nowrozi
Imam Abu Hanifa, (May Allah Mercy Be Upon Him): A Beacon of Knowledge in the Realm of Hadith Masters (Part One)
Introduction
The Almighty Allah has brought the Islamic religion to the stage of evolution and has become the guardian of its survival. The religion of Islam serves as a comprehensive program for civilized life, addressing all aspects of human existence—religious, moral, individual, and social. With its fundamental truths and principles, Islam remains ever relevant and free from the traces of obsolescence. The truths and beliefs of Islam are unchangeable, and its rulings and laws are complete and irrevocable, leaving no room for distortion or tampering.
Undoubtedly, human life is continually evolving, and human needs are constantly emerging. To address this dynamic, reformers have historically taken significant steps to renew and revitalize religion in light of contemporary conditions. These reformers have performed this invaluable service differently, depending on the circumstances and necessities of their time. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) promised the emergence of reformers who would renew and revive the religion similar to the prophets. The following hadiths support this assertion:
1- “إِنَّ اللَّهَ یبْعَثُ لِهَذِهِ الأمةِ عَلَى رَأْسِ کل مائَةِ سَنَةٍ مَنْ یجدِّدَ لَهَا أمرَ دِینَها.” (Indeed, Allah will send someone for this Ummah at the beginning of every century to renew their religion.)
2- “یحْمِلُ هَذَا الْعِلْمَ مِنْ کلِّ خَلَفٍ عُدُولُهُ، ینْفُونَ عَنْهُ انْتِحَالَ الْمُبْطِلِینَ، وَتَأْوِیلَ الْجَاهِلِینَ، وَتَحْرِیفَ الْغَالِینَ.” (In every era, righteous and pious individuals become the bearers of this knowledge, preserving it from the misinterpretations of invalidators, the misguided interpretations of the ignorant, and the distortions of the extremists.)
3- “لَا یزَالُ مِنْ أُمَّتِی قَوْمٌ ظَاهِرِینَ عَلَى النَّاسِ حَتَّى یأْتِیهُمْ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ، وَهُمْ ظَاهِرُونَ.” (A group of people from my community will always prevail over their opponents, and this victory will continue until the Day of Judgment.)
Throughout the history of Islam, the movement of renewal and revival has been ongoing, with reformers, leaders of religious movements, scholars, and thinkers striving to restore the greatness of Islam. They have fought against ignorance and darkness, stood against the tribulations of their time and false powers, and dispelled doubts about the pristine image of Islam. These individuals have endured significant hardships and have left behind invaluable contributions.
Among them are the Hadith Masters and jurists who, in their efforts to preserve and protect the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), safeguarded its sanctity. They traveled long distances and endured great hardships to compile collections of hadiths, thus providing guidance to the Islamic nation. By drawing from the Quran and Sunnah and engaging in ijtihad on contemporary issues, they ensured the dynamic nature of Islam, preventing the dust of obsolescence from settling upon it and enabling it to meet the new needs of human society in every age.
One of these prominent historical figures and pioneers of religious renewal is Imam Abu Hanifa (may Allah have mercy on him), the leader of the Mujtahids. He was the first to compile the science of the principles of jurisprudence, which enabled him to draw inferences from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah while engaging in ijtihad concerning new issues. Before long, his school of thought gained widespread recognition and evolved into one of the largest and most popular Islamic legal traditions.
Continues…
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