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Four Imaams (130)
In Baghdad, Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) was known by the title ‘Naasir-us-Sunnah’ (the savior of the Sunnah).
Haafiz Ibnu Katheer (rahimahullah) says, “Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) memorized the Qur’aan Majeed when he was only seven, the Muwatta of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) when he was ten, and his Shaikh, Muslim bin Khallaad Al-Zanji (rahimahullah), permitted him to pass verdicts (Fatwa) when he was only fifteen (some narrations state that he was eighteen).”
Hazrat Abu Thowr (rahimahullah), one of the Mujtahideen of that era, says, “We never saw anyone as great as Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah).”
(Al-Bidaayah-wan-Nihaayah 10/276)
Respect for the Ahaadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) – Part Three
Written by user2On one occasion, Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) passed by the gathering of Abu Haazim (rahimahullah) who was engaged in narrating the Ahaadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) passed by and did not participate in the gathering.
When someone asked Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) the reason for this, he replied, “I did not find any place to sit in the gathering, and I disliked (and did not regard it in keeping to the high levels of respect) to listen to the blessed Ahaadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) while standing.”
(Tazyeen-ul-Mamaalik pg. 37)
Hazrat Sufyaan Thowri (rahimahullah) Showing Extraordinary Respect to Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah)
Written by user2Hazrat Abu Bakr bin ‘Ayyaash (rahimahullah) reports the following:
When the brother of Hazrat Sufyaan Thowri (rahimahullah), Hazrat ‘Umar bin Sa‘eed (rahimahullah), passed away, we came to Hazrat Sufyaan (rahimahullah) to offer our condolences to him. When we arrived at his majlis, we found that there were many people present, including Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Idrees (rahimahullah).
While I was there, Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) suddenly arrived with a group of people. As soon as Hazrat Sufyaan Thowri (rahimahullah) saw him, he moved from his place and stood. He then hugged Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) and made him sit in his own place, thereafter sitting in front of Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) with the utmost humility.
If Imaam Ahmed (rahimahullah) received an invitation to a da’wat, be it a wedding or some other da’wat, then he would accept the invitation. If due to some excuse, he was unable to attend the da’wat, he would excuse himself from attending. However, if he attended a da’wat and had seen wrong taking place e.g. the food being served in silver or gold utensils or any other wrong, he would immediately wake up and leave the da’wat.
(Siyar A’laam min Nubalaa vol. 11 pg. 226)
Spending the Entire Night in the Recitation of the Qur’aan
Written by user2Haaroon bin Sa‘eed bin Haytham Al-Ayli narrates the following:
On one occasion, some of the Fuqahaa of Egypt entered the presence of Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) at the time of sehri. On entering and meeting him, they saw that he had the Qur’aan Majeed before him and was occupied with its recitation.
‘Amr bin Yazeed was a friend of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) who lived in Egypt. He narrates the following:
I once said to Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah), “O Abu ‘Abdillah! People travel to you from different lands. They wear out their animals and spend their money in coming to you so that they can ask you their masaa’il and benefit from the knowledge of Deen which Allah Ta‘ala has blessed you with. Thereafter, when they ask you their question, you often tell them, ‘I do not know the answer.’”
Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) in the Words of Hazrat Fudhail bin ‘Iyaaz (rahimahullah)
Written by user2Hazrat Fudhail bin ‘Iyaadh (rahimahullah) once described Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) in the following words:
Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) was a Faqeeh (person blessed with the true understanding of Deen) and his mastery in the science of Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) is well known to all. He was renowned for his piety, and Allah Ta‘ala had blessed him with abundant wealth. He was known for his quality of showing kindness to those who sought assistance from him. He was steadfast and committed to imparting the knowledge of deen. He would pass the night in an excellent manner through engaging in the ‘ibaadah of Allah Ta‘ala. He would remain silent and would speak very little. However, when he would be asked a mas’alah regarding halaal and haraam, then he would speak and would guide the person towards the truth in an excellent and gentle manner. He would avoid accepting any wealth or gifts from the ruler. If Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) was asked any mas’alah regarding which there was an authentic Hadith, he would follow the Hadith and practice upon it. In the case where he did not find a Hadith, but was informed regarding the narrations of the Sahaabah and Taabi‘een, then he would follow what he received from the Sahaabah and Taabi‘een. If Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) did not find any Hadith or narration of the Sahaabah and Taabi‘een, he would employ his ijtihaad and thereafter deduce the shar’ee ruling for the mas’alah.
(Tabyeedh-us-Saheefah pg. 123)
Imaam Ahmed bin Hambal (rahimahullah) was greatly honored and held in high esteem by the people. However, despite the people respecting him, he always thought nothing of himself. Below are two incidents that highlight the humility of Imaam Ahmed (rahimahullah):
Muhammed bin Moosa reports that he once saw a person from Khuraasaan come to Imaam Ahmed (rahimahullah) and say to him, “All praise is due to Allah Ta‘ala who blessed me with the opportunity of seeing you!” Hearing the words of this man and the high position that he afforded him, Imaam Ahmed (rahimahullah) responded saying, “Wait! Why are you honoring me in this way? Really, I do not feel that I am worthy of this honor.”
On another occasion, a person praised Imaam Ahmed (rahimahullah) saying, “May Allah Ta‘ala reward you immensely on behalf of Islam for the great service you have done for deen!” Imaam Ahmed (rahimahullah) was affected by the praise to the point where his facial expression changed. Imaam Ahmed (rahimahullah) thereafter responded, “No! Rather, I owe everything to Islam for the goodness that I received through Islam. I therefore make du‘aa that Allah Ta‘ala grant me the ability to show true gratitude for the favour of Islam. Who am I? I do not feel myself worthy of any honor.”
(Siyar A’laam min Nubalaa vol. 11 pg. 225)
The Advice of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) to Imaam Shaafi'ee (rahimahullah)
Written by user2Abu Haatim, Hasan bin Ahmed (rahimahullah) reports the following:
Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) once addressed Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) and advised him saying, “Allah Ta‘ala has instilled a special noor and divine light within your heart. Do not extinguish this noor through committing sins and falling into the disobedience of Allah Ta‘ala.”
(Manaaqib-ush-Shaafi‘ee lilBayhaqi pg. 1/104)
Blessed with the Vision of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)
Written by user2Muthanna bin Sa’d Al-Qaseer narrates that he heard Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) mention, “Whenever I go to sleep at night, I am blessed with the mubaarak vision of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in my dream.”
(Tazyeen-ul-Mamaalik pg. 33)
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Imaam Abu Hanifah’s (rahimahullah) Concern for Safeguarding his Deen
Written by user2Hazrat Khaarijah bin Mus‘ab (rahimahullah) narrates the following incident:
On one occasion, the ruler, Mansoor, wished to give Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) ten thousand dirhams. He thus summoned Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) to come and collect the money.
When Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah) was summoned and learnt that the ruler wished to give him money, he immediately turned to me and asked me for advice saying, “This man is such that if I reject his money, he will be angered, and if I accept it, he will try to influence me and make me compromise in matters of deen.”
The ‘Ibaadah of Imaam Ahmed (rahimahullah) – Part Two
Written by user2‘Abdullah (rahimahullah), the son of Imaam Ahmed (rahimahullah), mentions:
I would often observe my respected father engaging in du‘aa at the time of sehri. He would make du‘aa for many people and would take their names when making du‘aa for them. He would make abundant du‘aa, and his du‘aa would be made in a soft voice.
Not being Concerned about the Negative Remarks of People
Written by user2Yunus bin ‘Abdul A‘laa (rahimahullah) mentions the following:
Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) once said to me, “You will never be able to please and satisfy every person, and there is no way that you will be able to remain safe from the criticism and negative remarks of every person. Hence, do not be concerned about the negative remarks of people, but concern yourself with that which will benefit you and firmly hold onto it.”
(Siyar A’laam min Nubalaa 10/89)
The Respect of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) while Acquiring ‘Ilm from his Seniors
Written by user2Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) once mentioned the following:
I would come to the home of Hazrat Naafi’ (rahimahullah), the freed slave of Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma), at midday. The home of Hazrat Naafi’ (rahimahullah) was situated on the outskirts of Baqee’.