Imam Abu Hanifa, whose full name was Nu’man ibn Thabit, is one of the most important figures in Islamic history. He is known as “Imam al-A’zam,” meaning “The Greatest Leader,” and he founded the Hanafi school of thought, which is the oldest and most widely followed of the four main Sunni Islamic law schools (madhabs).¹ His work helped create a clear and organized way to understand Islamic law, and his teachings still guide millions of Muslims around the world today.⁴

This story will explore the life of Imam Abu Hanifa, from his early days as a merchant to becoming a leading scholar, and how his wisdom and courage left a lasting mark on Islam.

Early Life: From Merchant to Scholar

Imam Abu Hanifa was born in the year 80 AH (699 CE) in Kufa, a city in what is now Iraq.¹ His family was of Persian origin, and his father, Thabit bin Zuta, came from the region of Kabul (modern-day Afghanistan).¹ They were successful cloth merchants, and young Nu’man (Abu Hanifa’s given name) grew up in a wealthy and religious home. He memorized the entire Quran and helped with the family business.¹ His nickname “Abu Hanifa” (meaning “father of Hanifa”) is thought to come from the word

hanif, which means “upright” or “true believer,” showing his strong faith.¹

Even as a young man, Abu Hanifa was known for his sharp mind and honesty.¹ A famous story tells how a local scholar, ash-Sha’bi, noticed his intelligence and encouraged him to study Islam formally.¹ Taking this advice seriously, Abu Hanifa began to spend less time on his business and more on seeking knowledge.¹

He joined the study group of Hammad ibn Abi Sulayman, a famous legal scholar in Kufa.¹ Abu Hanifa stayed with Hammad as a dedicated student for about 18 years, becoming an expert in the Islamic law of the Iraqi scholars.¹ When Hammad passed away, Abu Hanifa, who was around 40 years old, was chosen to lead the study group, teaching and giving legal advice.¹

Abu Hanifa’s search for knowledge wasn’t limited to Kufa. He traveled to the Hijaz (Mecca and Medina) for Hajj (pilgrimage) and used the opportunity to study with other well-known scholars there, including Ata ibn Abi Rabah in Mecca and Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq in Medina.¹ He learned from as many as 93 teachers of Hadith.⁸ It is even said that he met and learned from some of the Prophet Muhammad’s Companions, which would make him one of the Tabi’un (Successors, the generation after the Companions).¹

Even as he became a respected scholar, Imam Abu Hanifa continued his silk merchant business for many years, which gave him his own income.¹ He was famous for his honesty in trade, with many stories highlighting his fairness and openness in business dealings.¹

Shaping Islamic Law: The Hanafi School

Imam Abu Hanifa is most famous for his groundbreaking work in fiqh (Islamic law).⁴ He and his students were pioneers in creating

Usul al-Fiqh (principles of jurisprudence), which means they systematically defined how Islamic rulings should be taken from the Quran and Sunnah (the Prophet’s teachings and practices).¹

His approach was special because it balanced religious texts with logic and reasoning. Two key ideas in his method were:

• Qiyas (Analogical Reasoning): When there wasn’t a direct answer in the Quran or Sunnah for a new situation, Abu Hanifa used qiyas. This meant he would compare the new situation to an existing one that had a ruling, based on their shared reasons or causes. This allowed Islamic law to address new problems in a practical and logical way.¹
• Istihsan (Juristic Preference): This principle allowed scholars to choose a more fair or just solution to a problem, even if it meant moving away from a strict qiyas ruling, if there was stronger evidence to support it. It acted like a “safety valve” to make sure Islamic law remained fair and practical, not overly rigid.¹

The Hanafi school also considered local customs (‘urf) as a source of law, as long as they didn’t go against Islamic principles. This made the school very adaptable to different cultures and societies, which helped it spread widely among non-Arab communities.¹

Imam Abu Hanifa’s students, especially Abu Yusuf and Muhammad al-Shaybani, played a vital role in writing down his teachings and spreading the Hanafi school throughout the Muslim world.¹

A Life of Integrity and Piety

Imam Abu Hanifa’s life was a shining example of Islamic virtues. He was known for his deep faith, honesty, and good character.² He was humble, respectful, and cared deeply for his community and students.² He was famous for his devotion to Allah, often performing

Tahajjud (night prayers) and sometimes reciting the entire Quran in a single prayer.² His nightly crying during prayer was even heard by his neighbors, showing his deep connection to God.²

Despite being a successful businessman, he lived a simple life and gave away much of his wealth in charity, choosing to serve Allah.² He was very careful to avoid anything unlawful, even staying away from some lawful things if there was any doubt.² He made sure his students had clothes and housing, and he would even help them with marriage proposals.² He visited the sick and attended funerals in Kufa, showing his strong sense of community responsibility.²

He was also known for his patience and tolerance, always willing to listen to others’ opinions, even his students, and never gossiped or backbit.²

Challenges and Steadfastness

Imam Abu Hanifa lived during a time of big political changes, as the Umayyad Caliphate was replaced by the Abbasid Caliphate.¹ Kufa itself was a city with a history of political unrest and many different ideas and groups.²

Because of his prominence, rulers from both dynasties offered him high judicial positions, but he consistently refused them.¹ He believed that taking such a role would compromise his ability to make fair and unbiased decisions based purely on Islamic principles.⁴

His refusal to accept these positions led to severe consequences. He was imprisoned and tortured multiple times for his stance.¹ Faced with the choice of accepting the position or enduring more torture, he fled to Mecca for several years.² After the Abbasids took power, he returned to Kufa, but later, the Caliph al-Mansur again offered him the chief justice position. When Abu Hanifa refused, he was imprisoned, severely tortured, and neglected.²

Despite these hardships, Imam Abu Hanifa remained firm in his beliefs and principles.² He showed immense patience and moral strength, never getting angry if mistreated and even praying for forgiveness for those who wronged him.²

Lasting Legacy

Imam Abu Hanifa passed away in prison in Baghdad in 150 AH (767 CE) at the age of 70.² Some accounts suggest he died from his wounds or was poisoned, while others say he died in prostration during prayer.² He was buried in al-Khayzuran Cemetery in Baghdad, and a shrine was later built over his tomb in 1066. The area around his tomb is still called al-A’zamiyyah, after his title “The Great Imam.”¹¹

The Hanafi school of thought, founded by Imam Abu Hanifa, became incredibly widespread due to its systematic approach, its use of reasoned analysis (qiyas and istihsan), and its ability to adapt to local customs.¹ It also gained significant support from powerful empires like the Abbasid and Ottoman empires, which often made it their official school of law.¹

Today, the Hanafi school is followed by over 550 million Muslims, making it the most widely practiced school of law in Sunni Islam.¹ It is dominant in South Asia (like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan), Central Asia, Turkey, the Balkans, and parts of the Middle East (like Iraq and Syria).¹ Its moderation and flexibility have made it suitable for diverse societies around the world.¹

Imam Abu Hanifa was a towering figure in Islamic scholarship. His tireless dedication to understanding and organizing Islamic law, along with his innovative methods, created a lasting legacy that continues to guide Muslims worldwide. His life was a powerful example of integrity, piety, and courage in the face of adversity. He showed that true greatness comes not just from knowledge, but from living by one’s principles and serving the community with unwavering faith.