Biography
When was Abu Hanifa born?
699 AD
What are the main sources of law in the Hanafi school of thought?
The Quran, Hadith, consensus of scholars (ijma), and reasoning (qiyas).
In which city was Abu Hanifa born?
What was Abu Hanifa's full name?
Nu‘man ibn Thabit
Why did Abu Hanifa emphasize reasoning (qiyas) in his legal rulings?
He believed that reasoning allowed Islamic law adapt to new situations and provide solutions to that circumstance.
Which Muslim leader was in power during Abu Hanifa's time?
Umayyad and Abbasid
Which school of Islamic jurisprudence did Abu Hanifa found?
The Hanafi school of thought
What is "istihsan" in Hanafi law?
Istihsan is choosing a more beneficial legal ruling when the usual rule seems too harsh for a situation.
Why was Abu Hanifa imprisoned by Abbasid?
He refused to accept the position as a cheif judge because he thought it would compromise his integrity.
What was the profession of Abu Hanifa's father?
His father was a silk merchant
Which principle did Abu Hanifa emphasize: analogical reasoning (qiyas) or strictly only used Hadith?
Analogical Reasoning (qiyas)
Which scholars were the students of Abu Hanifa?
One of the most famous ones are Abu Yusuf and Muhammad al-Shaybani.
How did Abu Hanifa's students continue his legacy after his death?
They formalized the teachings of Hanafi school
What did Abu Hanifa do if he couldn’t find a solution in the Quran or Hadith?
He would use reasoning or personal judgement (ra'y) to come up with a fair solution.
What was the influence of the Hanafi school during the Ottoman Empire?
The Hanafi school became the official school of law in the Ottoman Empire.