Nu'man ibn Thabit ibn Zuta ibn Mahan al-Kufi, known as Abu Hanifa
- Born:
- 699 CE (80 AH), Kufa, Iraq
- Died:
- 767 CE (148 AH), Baghdad, Iraq
- Nationality:
- Persian (based on lineage claims)
- Profession(s):
- Jurist, Theologian, Founder of the Hanafi School of Islamic Law, Merchant
Early Life and Education
- Born into a family with possible connections to Persia.
- Initially engaged in trade, becoming a successful merchant.
- Began his study of Islamic jurisprudence and theology later in life, around the age of 22.
- Studied under Hammad ibn Abi Sulayman, a prominent jurist, for approximately 18 years.
Career and Major Achievements
- Established a systematic methodology for Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh).
- Developed principles of legal reasoning, including the use of qiyas (analogical reasoning) and istiḥsān (juristic preference).
- Trained numerous students who went on to become prominent jurists and judges.
- Refused appointments as a judge offered by the Abbasid Caliphate, due to concerns about the integrity of the judicial system.
Notable Works
- Al-Fiqh al-Akbar (Attributed, a work on Islamic Creed)
- Kitab al-Asl (Compilation of Hanafi legal rulings) - Primarily compiled by his students.
- Al-Jami' al-Saghir (Compilation of Hanafi legal rulings) - Primarily compiled by his students.
Legacy and Impact
Abu Hanifa's most significant contribution is the establishment of the Hanafi school of Islamic law, which is one of the four major Sunni schools of jurisprudence. The Hanafi school is characterized by its emphasis on reason and analogical deduction in interpreting Islamic law and remains the largest of the Sunni schools, with a significant following in many parts of the world, including Turkey, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, and the Balkans. This biography of Abu Hanifa highlights his profound impact on Islamic jurisprudence.