Personal summary of video - The Real Imam Abu Hanifah
Grandfather was a clothes merchant.
[Speaker: Our ancestors/imams never used to like taking from others so mastered a trade to earn their daily bread. But later paid positions made them potentially open to blackmail - and they were.]
Inherited 200k dirhamss from father - substantial (=8.5k gold dinars. =70k sheep.) Kept only 4k (because Ali(ra) said that was enough for someone to live on). Would only spend 2 dirhams/month. But, being clothes trader, wore good clothes/perfume.
Born Kufa, 80AH, Died Baghdad 150AH.
Considered best scholar in both, though was not an arab.
[Hence, they learnt from them regardless of their origins]
Certainly saw Anas ibn Malik (companion) offering prayers. Probably others. Distinguishing feature from other leaders of other jurispudence schools. No other Imams also had students as great as Abu Hanifa's.
Wrote very little himself. Classified fiqh in written format for first time - hajj, fasting, prayers etc. and the problems associated with each.
Imam Malik said Abu Hanifa could convince you a wooden column was made of gold - such was his debating ability.
Not as knowledgeable as other Imams on Traditions. But would only use traditions agreed by other scholars of Saying.
Would use the scholar' agreement if there was one on a point. Then, if differeing, would used his reasoning.
Learnt from Imam Hammad and many other of the best scholars - 93 Followers. For 18 years followed Imam Hammad with great respect and serving.
Taught by 4000 sheikhs.
Ottomons & Abbasids followed his school. Many other sultan who ruled the arabian world.
Abu Yusuf was chief justice and was student of Abu Hanifa.
Provided for him to feed his parents so he could study for 10 years until he gained a good position.
2/3 of Muslims follow Hanafi school.
Fasted for and did morning prayer with previous evening's ablution for 30 years every day. Whole Qur'an recited every 3 days despite business. Summer: Sleep only during noon and afternoon prayer. Winter: Sleep only at beginning of night.
[Knowledge gained by piety, ascetism - not arrogance, evil intentions]
30k dirhams profit but his assistant forgot to mention defect so gave all away to chairyt.
Got out of situation - 'Seeking protection, give them protection to a place of safety'
Refused to be a judge. Whipped/Imprisoned.
Ibn Al Qaiyim praised him greatly in his book.
[Knowledge is hard to attain - a gift from God]
[Don't be 100% extremist in your madhab though]
[Malik: Anyone's sayings can be accepted or rejected except the man in this grave - pointing to HPSAW.]
