Early Life and Background
Imam Abu Hanifa, whose full name was Nu‘mān ibn Thābit ibn Zūṭā al-Kūfī, was born in Kufa, Iraq, in the year 80 AH (699 CE), during the rule of the Umayyad Caliphate. He came from a family of Persian origin. His grandfather, Zuta, is believed to have been brought to Kufa as a prisoner from Kabul, where he later embraced Islam. The family became known for its honesty in trade and strong adherence to Islamic values.
Though born in a period marked by political turbulence, especially between the Umayyad rulers and the Alid movement, Abu Hanifa initially focused on a career in commerce. He was a silk merchant, widely respected for his trustworthiness and ethical conduct in business. However, his growing intellectual curiosity and regular interaction with scholars eventually inspired him to pursue a life dedicated to Islamic knowledge and jurisprudence.
Education and Teachers
Imam Abu Hanifa acquired knowledge under the guidance of some of the most renowned scholars of his time. Among his most influential teachers were:
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Hammad ibn Abi Sulayman – A distinguished jurist of Kufa and a leading student of Ibrahim al-Nakhai. Abu Hanifa studied with him for 18 years.
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Ata ibn Abi Rabah – A celebrated scholar based in Mecca and a direct student of several Companions of the Prophet ﷺ.
In addition to these, Imam Abu Hanifa had the privilege of learning from numerous Tabi‘un (the generation following the Companions), including Anas ibn Malik (RA), the last surviving Companion of the Prophet ﷺ during his time.
It is reported that he studied with over 4,000 scholars, including around seven from the Tabi‘un. This extensive and diverse scholarly exposure contributed significantly to the depth, balance, and analytical rigor of his legal reasoning and methodology in Islamic jurisprudence.
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