Author: Abdul Hameed Nowrozi
Imam Abu Hanifa, May Allah Mercy Be Upon Him: A beacon of Knowledge in the Realm of Hadith Masters (Part Two)
Birth and Family of Imam Abu Hanifa (may Allah have mercy on him)
Imam Abu Hanifa (may Allah have mercy on him) was born in the year 80 AH, and according to a weaker narration, in the year 61 AH, in the city of Kufa or in the city of Anbar. However, the year 61 AH does not align with the events of his life, so the first account is more accurate.
His name was Nu’man, son of Thabit, son of Zuta, son of “Mah,” a freedman of Taym Allah ibn Tha’laba. There is a narration that claims he was from the tribe of Banu Yahya ibn Zayd ibn Asad or Ibn Rashid al-Ansari, indicating that his lineage was Arab. However, this narration is not considered authentic, as the more widely accepted view is that his lineage and origin were Iranian and Persian. Several reasons support this view, including a mention in his genealogy that suggests his name was Nu’man ibn Thabit ibn Marzban. Additionally, the name “Zuta” is non-Arabic, and it has been recorded in multiple sources that he was originally from the city of Kabul or Termez. It is also said that Abu Hanifa is one of the prominent examples of the prophetic hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim, which states: «لَوْ کانَ الْعِلْمُ مُعَلَّقاً عِنْدَ الثُرَیا لَتَنَاوَلَهُ رِجَالٌ مِنْ أَبْنَاءِ فَارِسَ» “(Even if knowledge were hung on the farthest star, certainly, men from the descendants of Persia would attain it.)”
Thabit, Abu Hanifa’s father, was born a Muslim and grew up in a Muslim household. It is said that he was originally from Anbar and later resided in Termez or Nisa. However, his grandfather, Zuta, was a slave of the Banu Taym Allah ibn Tha’laba tribe, who was later freed. Some members of Abu Hanifa’s lineage denied this connection to slavery and claimed, “We are descendants of free Iranians.” Regarding Abu Hanifa’s mother, there is no detailed information available. From what we know of Abu Hanifa’s life, he deeply respected his mother, cherished her, and was obedient to her wishes.
Abu Yusuf, the most famous student of Abu Hanifa (may Allah have mercy on both of them), narrated that Abu Hanifa would seat his mother on his donkey and take her to the sermons of ‘Umar ibn Dharr, as it was her wish. He was eager to fulfill her desires, saying, “Sometimes I would take her to his gatherings, and at other times, she would instruct me to go alone to ‘Umar ibn Dharr and ask him a question on her behalf. I would tell ‘Umar that my mother had sent me to inquire about a certain matter.” He would be surprised and ask, “Are you asking me about such an issue?” (implying that Abu Hanifa already knew the answer to that and many other matters). Abu Hanifa would reply, “This is my mother’s command.”
On one occasion, his mother sought a religious ruling (fatwa) from him. After providing his own ruling, she rejected it, saying she would only accept the fatwa of Zar’ah al-Qass. She asked Abu Hanifa to take her to Zar’ah, which he did. Upon meeting Zar’ah, Abu Hanifa explained, “My mother seeks a fatwa from you about this matter.” Zar’ah replied, “You are more knowledgeable and scholarly than I am. Give her the ruling yourself.” Abu Hanifa responded, “I already gave her the answer, but she did not accept it.” So, Zar’ah told Abu Hanifa’s mother, “The ruling of Abu Hanifa is the correct one.”
During the reign of Marwan ibn al-Hakam, the state attempted to force Abu Hanifa to accept a judicial position, but he refused. As a result, he was severely punished and imprisoned. When he was released, he did not complain about the beatings and imprisonment, but said, “The sorrow and grief of my mother were harder for me to bear than the torture and prison!”
Continues…
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