Maida Malik
Better known as ‘Imam-e-`Adham' (The Greatest Imam), or by his kunyah ‘Abu Hanifah', Nu'man ibn Thabit was born in the city of Kufa (modern day Iraq) in the year 80 A.H (689 A.D). Born into a family of tradesmen, the Imam's family were of Persian origin as well as descending from the noble Prophets (saw) companion Salman al Farsi (ra). Imam Abu Hanifah's father Thabit had met in Kufa, Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (ra) who made dua for him and his progeny, and some say that Abu Hanifah was a result of this dua.
A hadith given by al Bukhari and Muslim states that Abu Hurairah narrated Allah's Messenger (saw) as saying: "if the Religion were at the Pleiades , even then a person from Persia would have taken hold of it, or one amongst the Persian descent would surely have found it". Abu Huraira also narrates: "We were sitting in the company of Allah's Apostle (saw) when Surat al Juma was revealed to him and when he recited amongst them (those who were sitting there) said ‘Allah's Messenger?' but Allah's Apostle (saw) made no reply, until he was questioned once, twice or thrice, and there was amongst us Salman the Persian. Allah's Apostle (saw) placed his hand on Salman and then said: "Even if faith were near the Pleiades a man from amongst these would surely find it".
Imam as-Suyuti a Shafi alim (rh) remarked "It has been communicated unanimously that this hadith refers to Imam Abu Hanifah".
Kufa at the time of the Imams birth was a great centre of knowledge and learning , with many of the noble Prophets (saw) companions (ra) having taken residence there. Due to the presence of these venerable people who had engendered so much interest in hadith and riwayat that practically every house in Kufa had become a centre of these disciples and their disciplines. At first , Imam Abu Hanifah was not a student of knowledge. However, by coincidence, whilst one day passing by the house of Sha'bi (acclaimed "Great Scholar among the Successors"), Abu Hanifah was called in by the shaykh who mistook him for a student. "Where are you going young man?" asked Sha'bi. Abu Hanifah named the merchant he was going to see. "I meant to ask" asked Sha'bi. "Who's classes you attend?". "Nobody's" replied the Imam regretfully. "I see signs of intelligence in you" began Sha'bi, "you should sit in the company of learned men". It was after this encounter that the young Imam began his quest for knowledge. Imam Abu Hanifah acquired knowledge from over four thousand people. His teachers included many prestigious men of the time whose sanad went back to a number of companions (ra). He himself was blessed with the meeting of the companions: Anas ibn Malik, Abdullah ibn Afwa and Sahl ibn Sa'ad (ra), thus gaining him the rank of being a Tabi'i (successor to the companions).
Al hamdulillahi Rabbil alameen, was salaatu was salaamu ala Sayyidil Ambiya e wal Mursaleen, Sayyidina wa Shafee enaa wa Nabiyyinaa wa Maulaana Muhammadiw, wa alaa Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Ahli Baytihi wa Awliyaa’ihi ajma’eena Birahmatika yaa Arhamar Rahimeen. Amma Ba’d.
All Praise is for Allah the Lord of all the worlds, and blessings and peace upon the Leader of all the Prophets and Messengers: our Leader and our Master, Muhammad, and upon His Family and His Companions all of them, with Your Mercy, O Most Merciful of the Merciful. As for what follows, Allah Ta’ala Says in His Glorious Qur’an:
“Fas-aloo Ahl al dhikri in kuntum laa ta’lamoon (Ask Ahl al-Dhikr if you do not know).” (Holy Qur’an, 16:43)
The principal of accepting the ruling of the Illustrious Ulama, the qualified scholars of the past have been much maligned. Those choosing to safeguard their deeni lives by accepting qualified authority are being attacked. Thieves of Deen and their ignorant followers are accusing Muslims of being blind followers and are even labeling Muslims unbelievers, apostates, and/or polytheists. Because of lack of sound knowledge as to the true position of Rasulullah, Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, and the honored Sahaba Akram, Radiyallahu ‘anhum ajma’een, pseudo-scholars calling themselves Salafi are leading many of our Muslim youth astray. These evil so-called Ulama attack new converts to Islam and steal their Imaan (belief) by pretending to be Islamic scholars.
The age-old bid’ah (innovation), the idea that there is no need to learn our Islam from qualified scholars who teach and lead, the premise that each rank and file (ami) Muslim has the right and the innate ability to interpret Al Qur’an Kareem and the Sunnah of Sayyidina Rasuli Akram Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam continues to rear its ugly head throughout the Muslim world. This ugly monstrosity continues to raise its head in the United States. So-called modernist scholars (who call themselves Salafi) claim the ability to determine the correct way to Allah Ta’ala, mislead many. We must oppose these deviated people and follow qualified scholars who studied at the blessed feet of Sahaba Akram and at Tabi’een, Radiyallahu ‘anhum ajma’een (may Allah be pleased with them all), and those follow in that tradition.
Since the beginning of man’s life on earth, Allah Ta’ala has sent Ambiya and Mursaleen (Prophets and Messengers) for man’s guidance. Allah Ta’ala also rose from among the true believers, blessed beings, true followers of the Prophets and Messenger, experts in expounding the guidance received from the Messengers and Prophets (may Allah Ta’ala’s Blessings and peace be on them all). We must understand that Allah Ta’ala did not charge all the followers of the Messengers and Prophets with the responsibility of leading and teaching. Just as we know that not everyone is able the art of healing, so too not everyone is qualified to heal diseased hearts and provide proper guidance for the Mu’mineen. Likewise understanding intimately the Divine scheme of things is not possible for each individual Muslim or claimant to Islam. We need guidance to understand how to practice the contents of His (Allah Ta’ala’s) Divine message.
Allah Ta’ala chooses whom He wills to lead and teach the Ummat-e-Muhammadi. From this point of view, we wish to present clear evidence from the Sources of Islam (nass) Al Qur’an Kareem and the Sunnah of our Blessed Nabi, Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam.
Read more: On the Necessity of Following Qualified Islamic Scholarship