SHARIAH LAW I
HANAFI SCHOOL OF THOUGHT
1. LIFE OF THE FOUNDER
Imam Abu Hanifa the founder of Hanafi School of
Thought
Real Name: Al-Numan bin Thabit bin Marzuban
Birthplace: Kufah, Iraq
Birth Date: 80 A.H. (699 A.D.)
Death: 150 A.H. (767 A.D.)
Early Education: Kalam (Theology)
Profession: Textile (khazz or silk) Merchant
He established reputation through honesty
and fairness.
Discovered by: Imam Shabi
I see signs of intelligence in you. You should sit
in the company of learned men."
He developed his interest for jurisprudence under the
tutorship of his Sheikh, Hammad ibn Abu Suleiman. He
had about 4000 Sheikhs
Person behind his death: Abu Jafar Mansoor
146 A.H. Al-Mansoor charged the Imam with
contempt, had him arrested and locked in
prison
150 A.H. Imam Sahib was lashed, shirtless 30
times. He was again imprisoned with restricted
rations for 15 days and was forcefully made to
drink poison which led to his martyrdom.
150 A.H. Imam prostrated in prayer and
passed away in the month of Rajab
Place of Death: Baghdad
Additonal Information:
Of all the four schools, Hanafi School of
Thoughts is the most special for Abu Hanifa was
able to personally witness the life and deeds of
Prophet Muhammads Sahaba.
2. THE EVOLUTION OF THE SCHOOLS
After the death of Muhammad:
Islamic law found itself in a sort of imbalance;
It took several generations before scholars
found a point of equilibrium.
The overwhelming influence of Medina on
doctrine and practicewhose authority was
largely that of the Companions of the Prophet
The influence gave way to a great rift of
scholars: The Tradition and The Opinion
Hanafi School of Thought:
It prevailed during the time of the Abbasid
Empire
No fundamental book/s left by Abu Hanifa
Legacies were passed on orally.
Took off Abu Hanifas death in 150 A.H.
Close followers of Abu Hanifa stood out in
spreading the Fiqh. The followers were:
o Abu Yusuf
o Muhammad Sheybani
o Al-Lului
Abu Yusuf :
Chief Justice appointed during the times of
Khalifa Al-Mahdi, the Khalifa Al-Haadi, then
Khalifa Al-Rasheed.
He employed only those from his school of
thought.
Author of the following works:
o Kitab al-Asar
o Ihtilafu Abu Hanifa wa Ibn Abu Laila
o Alaa al-radd al-Siyyer Avzai
o Kitab al-Kharaj
Muhammad Sheybani:
Disciple of Abu Hanifa
A good writer and wrote many good books
about teachings of Abu Hanifa
Made the biggest contribution to the Hanafi
Madhhab (Hanafi School of Thought)
Studied under Malik Ibn Anas for 3 years
The Traditional :
Focused on the hadith or reports on the sayings
and deeds by the Prophet Muhammad and his
companions
Strictly, largely, and uncritically abided hadith