Book Name:Faizan e Imam Azam
in the year 150 AH (2nd of Sha’ban).[1] His shrine is located in the Khaizran cemetery of Baghdad and is visited by the masses even today.[2]
The four noble Imams (Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shafi’i, Imam Malik and Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَیْہِمْ) were upon the truth, and their followers are brothers to one another. Imam Abu Hanifa رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه is the greatest of the four Imams. One reason for this is that he was the only tab’i from among them. A tab’i is the one who met a companion of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in the state of iman and passed away in this state too.[3] Imam Abu Hanifa رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه was blessed to meet some of the noble Companions عَـلَيْهِمُ الرِّضْوَانْ, and he heard the words of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم directly from some of them.[4]
صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد
The Qualities of Imam Abu Hanifa
Sayyiduna Abu Nu’aym رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states:
The aura, face, clothes and shoes of Imam Abu Hanifa رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه were pristine, and he would always help those who came to him.[5] He was moderate in height and would speak in the most beautiful manner from amongst the people. He would use a lot of fragrance, and when going outside, he would be recognised by his pleasant scent.[6]
Along with propagating the teachings of Islam throughout the day, Imam Abu Hanifa رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه would recite the Quran and spend the entire night in worship. Sayyiduna Mis’ar bin Kidaam رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه narrates: