A Debate some ascribe to Imaam Abu Haneefah with one of the Shia
There was a Shia man who believed that the Sahaabi Uthman, may Allaah be pleased with him, was a Jew. Imam Abu Hanifa visited the person’s house and told him that he has a proposal for his daughter. He told the Shia man that this man whom he had in mind for his daughter was young, modest, handsome, wealthy, pious, and generous. The Shia accepted the proposal almost immediately. Imam Abu Hanifa pointed out that the only problem with the suitor is that he was a Jew. The Shia was furious and asked Imam Abu Hanifa how he could accept such a proposal. Imam Abu Hanifa calmly told him that, “If the idea of accepting a Jew for your own daughter is so rejected, then how can you believe that the Noble Prophet sallahu alayhi wa salam accepted that for his own daughter’s and not only once but twice?”
[Excerpted while slightly edited]
Note: The likes of this story has been declared unauthentic by al-Imaam Mu’alimee rahimahullah
A Debate some ascribe to Imaam Abu Haneefah concerning Reciting al-Faatihah behind the Imam
It is reported that once there was a group of people who went to Imam Abu Hanifah, rahimahullah, to debate the issue of reading Surah Faatihah behind an Imam.
Imam Abu Hanifah – rahimahullah – asked them to nominate a person among them who would debate with him because it would not be possible with all of them at once. They nominated someone among them who was considered as the most learned among them. The great Imam then asked them, “Whatever this person says, will this be considered as something which is being said by all of you?” The people agreed that yes, this would be so. The great Imam then asked, “If this person is successful or is defeated in this debate, will this be considered your collective defeat and success?” They all replied that yes, they would accept this. Imam Abu Hanifah, may Allah be pleased with him, then asked them how this was possible. They replied, “The reason is that we have chosen him as our leader and Imam. Hence his success is our success and his defeat is our defeat.”
Imam Abu Hanifah, may Allah be pleased with him, then declared, “If that is the case, then the debate is over. This is what I am saying, that when a person is nominated as an Imam, then his Qirah (i.e. recitation) is my Qirah and therefore, there would be nothing for me to read.”
[Excerpted while slightly edited]
Note: The likes of this story has been declared unauthentic by al-Imaam Mu’alimee rahimahullah
A Debate some ascribe to Imaam Abu Haneefah with one of the Khawaarij about having men being those who could judge and rule
A man by the name of Ad-Dahhak ibn Qays al-Khariji who rebelled during the time of Bani Ummayyah, entered the mosque in Kufa and told Imam Abu Hanifa, “Repent!”
“From what?” asked Abu Hanifa.
He answered, “From you permitting arbitration in the issue between Ali bin Abi Taalib and Mu’awiyah bin Abi Sufyan .”
“Will you kill me or debate with me?” asked Imam Abu Hanifa.
“I will debate with you.”
“And if we disagree on anything in the debate, who will decide between us?”
“I will accept whomever you wish.”
“Sit and judge between us if we disagree,” Abu Hanifa said to one of ad-Dahhak’s companions.
“Are you content for this one to decide between us?” asked Abu Hanifa to ad-Dahhak.
“Yes”
“So by this you have allowed arbitration, so why then do you criticize for other than yourself?”
[Excerpted while slightly edited]
This debate is mentioned by some modern day authors with no chain of narration. Allah knows best.
Note: One of the reasons why the khawaarij rebelled against Ali bin Abi Taalib was because he allowed arbitration and for men to judge and rule concerning the dispute that was occurring at that time. The khawaarij claim falsely that this goes against the ayats which state that the ruling and judgement is for Allaah only.
Mentioned by
AbdulFattaah Bin Uthman
Abu Fajr
