False Accusations Against Abū Ḥanīfah Ascribed to al-Ghazāli

WHAT IMAAM GHAZAALI SAYS OF ABU HANIFAH

In his Ihyaaul Uloom, Imaam Ghazaali (Rahmatullah alayh) says:

“The Fuqaha who are the Authorities of Fiqh and whom the vast majority of people follow are five: Shaafi’, Maalik, Ahmad Bin Hambal, Abu Hanifah and Sufyaan Ath-Thauri (Rahmatullaah alayhim). Each one of them was an Aabid, Zaahid and an Aalim of the Knowledge of the Aakhirah, and a Faqeeh regarding the needs of people in this world. With his Fiqh, he intended to acquire the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. We shall narrate from these four attributes of these Fuqaha. As for their knowledge of Fiqh it is an established and obvious fact (which does not need elaboration). Abu Hanifah (Rahmatullah alayh) was also an Aabid, Zaahid fearful of Allah Ta’ala, intending to acquire the pleasure of Allah with his knowledge. Regarding him being an Aabid, it is known from the narration of Ibnul Mubaarak who said: “Abu Hanifah was one of Murawwat(refined culture) and one who performed Salaat in abundance.” Hammaad Bin Abi Sulaimaan narrated that he would remain awake the entire night.

It has been narrated that he used to remain awake half the night. Then once whilst walking in the road someone pointed towards him (Abu Hanifah) and said to another person: “He remains awake the entire night.” Abu Hanifah thereafter commented: “I feel shame for Allah Ta’ala that I am praised with an attribute which is not in me.” (Henceforth, he would remain awake the entire night.)

Regarding his Zuhd, Ar-Rabee’ Bin Aasim said: “Yazeed Bin Umar Bin Hubairah (the governor) sent me to Abu Hanifah to inform him that he is being appointed as the treasurer of the Baitul Maal. He declined and was flogged twenty lashes.” Reflect, how he fled from leadership. He rather suffered to be punished.

Al-Hakam Bin Hishaam Ath-Thaqafi said that it became well-known in Shaam that Abu Hanifah was the most trustworthy person. Thus the Sultan intended to entrust the keys of his treasury to Abu Hanifah. Either he accepts or he would be flogged. Abu Hanifah chose the option of flogging (and he was flogged) rather than the punishment of Allah Ta’ala.”

When Abu Hanifah was mentioned to Ibnul Mubaarak, he commented: “You speak about a man to whom the world with all its treasures was presented, but he fled from it.”

On another occasion it was said to Abu Hanifah: “Ameerul Mu’mineen Abu Ja’far Al-Mansur had ordered that a gift of 10,000 dirhams be presented to you.” Abu Hanifah was not pleased (as he detested the wealth of the rulers). On the day appointed for the delivery of the gift, Abu Hanifah, after performing Fajr Salaat, covered himself with his shawl and did not speak to anyone. Then Al-Hasan Bin Quhtabah, the messenger (of the Khalifah), arrived with the wealth. He entered, but Abu Hanifah did not speak with him. Then some of those who were present (fearing the repercussions of Imaam Abu Hanifah’s rebuff) said to the messenger: “This is his usual habit. He does not speak to us except a word or two.” Then he said: “Put the money in this bag in the corner of the room.” Thereafter, Abu Hanifah said to his son: “When I die and after you have buried me, then take this pile of money to Al-Hasan Bin Quhtabah and say to him: “Take your trust which you had entrusted to Abu Hanifah.” His son said: “I did so. Al-Hasan then commented: “May Allah have mercy on your father. Verily he was extremely zealous about his Deen.”

It is narrated that Abu Hanifah was summoned to become the Qaadhi. He said: “I lack the ability for this post.” It was said to him: ‘Why?’ He said: “If I am speaking the truth (i.e. “I lack the qualifications for being the Qaadhi.”), then obviously I am unfit for the position. On the other hand, if I am speaking a lie, then (obviously) a liar is unfit for this position of Qadhaa’”. (In his response, Imaam Abu Hanifah said that his statement: ‘I am not fit to be the Qaadhi.’, is either true or false. There is no third option. If true, then the answer is obvious, viz., that he is not qualified. If his statement is false, then a liar too is not fit for the lofty post of Amaanat.)

Regarding his Knowledge of the Way of the Aakhirah and the affairs of the Deen, and the Ma’rifat of Allah Azza Wa Jal, his excessive fear for Allah Ta’ala confirms this. Also, his Zuhd (abstemiousness) in the dunya confirms this. Ibn Juraij said: “It has reached me that this Nu’maan Bin Thaabit from your Kufa was extreme in his fear for Allah Ta’ala.”

Shareek An-Nakha’i said: “Abu Hanifah was prolonged in silence, perpetually in reflection and of little speech with people. These are the clearest signs of esoteric (baatini) Knowledge and engrossment with the objectives of the Deen. Whoever has been granted silence and Zuhd, verily he has been granted all Knowledge.”

Abul Juwairiyyah said: “I was in Abu Hanifah’s company for six months. Not a single night did he lie down. Abu Hanifah used to stay awake half the night. Then once he passed by some people who commented that he remained awake the entire night. Abu Hanifah then said: ‘I feel shy (for Allah Ta’ala) that I be praised for a quality/act which is lacking in me.’ Thereafter he would remain awake the entire night.”

Ibn Abi Laila said to Ibn Shubramah: “Do you not see that this son of a weaver (sarcastically referring to Imaam Abu Hanifah) refutes every mas’alah on which we issue a fatwa?” Ibn Shubramah said: “I do not know if he is a son of a weaver or not. But I know that the dunya came running to him, but he fled from it, and the dunya fled from us while we went searching for it.”

Taken from: www.asic-sa.co.za/