I was doing a late night reading of a ḥadīth compilation of the giant Imām Abū Ḥanīfah in the visit to my home.
I had no choice but to take advantage of my physical library in my beautiful city of Toronto before having to look at nothing but PDFs when I return to BC. Imām Abū Ḥanīfah's life, teachings and legacy are all so awe inspiring!
Just thought about sharing some of the many insightful aspects I read about last night pertaining to one of the greatest inspirational figures, Imām Abū Ḥanīfah.
• Imām Abū Ḥanīfah was born in the 80th year after Ḥijrah (the migration of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to the blessed city of Madinah). He was the son of Thābit, a pious man from Afghan origins. Hence, he is Nu'mān the son of Thābit.
• It is said that Thābit, the father of Imām Abū Ḥanīfah went to meet the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammad, Alī (may Allāh be pleased with him), who in turn supplicated to the Almighty to bless Thābit and his entire progeny.
• Coupled with being a great Scholar/Imām, Imām Abū Ḥanīfah was an affluent/successful merchant, who's establishments were well known all over the world.
Below are some quotes regarding Imām Abū Ḥanīfah from reputable Imāms, those who were contemporaries of the Imām and those who proceeded him as well.
“He is the Jurist of Irāq...”
- Al-Mazī
“I saw such a man (Imām Abū Ḥanīfah), who, by Allāh, if he told you that this staff is made out of gold, he would convince you to believe it is actually made of gold through the powerful arguments he would make.”
- Imām Mālik
“People are dependent upon Abū Ḥanīfah in the field of Islamic Jurisprudence.”
- Imāms al Shāf'ī
“I've never seen a man, who is more knowledgeable than Abū Ḥanīfah in the field of Islamic Jurisprudence.”
- Imāms al Shāf'ī
“I've never seen someone who is more better than him (Imām Abū Ḥanīfah).”
- Aṭā bin Abī Rabāḥ
“By Allāh, we are not lying when we affirm that we haven't heard an opinion, which is better than that of Abū Ḥanīfah.”
- Yaḥyā bin Sa'īd
“He (Abū Ḥanīfah) trustworthy. I have not heard of anyone who deemed him to be weak in the field of Ḥadīth. He is truthful and only narrates what he has thoroughly verified to be authentic.”
- Yaḥyā bin Ma'īn
“He (Abū Ḥanīfah) is a well known Jurist.”
- Ibn Ḥajar
“He (Imam Abū Ḥanīfah) is a great Imām and Jurist. The Illustrious Scholar of Irāq....”
- Al-Dhahabī
“He (Imām Abū Ḥanīfah) is among the righteous generation of the Tābi'ūn.”
- Al-Dhahabī
“If Allāh had not assisted me by means of Abū Ḥanīfah and Sufyān, I would have been a simple layman”
- 'Abdullāh bin Mubārak
Imām Abū Ḥanīfah passed away in the year 150 or 151 post the Hijrah. The funeral prayer was performed six times due the masses, who attended his funeral from far and wide.
May Allāh Almighty shower His mercy upon Imām Abū Ḥanīfah and May He continue to inspire people through the inspirational legacy of this giant Imām!
Loads of people, from all walks of life came out last weekend in Edmonton, from all around Canada, to embrace the historic announcement, regarding the initiation of the Arabic Language Arts Curriculum at a provincial level in Alberta.
Everyone from faith leaders, to politicians. Everyone from teachers, to the brave people who insure that we remain safe day in and day out. Everyone who was born in this beautiful country, to all those who migrated here to call Canada home....The list could go on and on.
Photo Credit: Adam Abougouche & Alia Abougouche
When Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal was on his death bed, a Christian pastor of his community visited Imam Ahmad and said,“ O Imam, your life was not only a blessing for Muslims, it was a blessing to all of God's creation. We are all pleased with you!
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I recently touched base with a Catholic Father in our community, among many others. His name is Father Trini. We have attended many interfaith programs together in Lac La Biche.
Recently, we thought of facilitating interfaith sessions, in which we learn about the faiths of one another, just on the basis of coexisting . This endeavor entailed visits to the worship homes of one another.
A few days ago, I took my Arabic language class on a visit to the Catholic Church in Lac La Biche. Father Trini facilitated a detailed tour. He was very fond of the questions and enthusiasm of my students, the youth of our Musim community in Lac la Biche.
On our way out of the Church, the Father uttered a similar statement to me as the Christian Pastor did to Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal.
He also expressed how their regional Bishop is also very interested to meet the Muslim leadership of our community.
The Arabic students will soon be facilitating a tour for the Father & his students of our beautiful Masjid. That is what you call building bridges.
We ask Allah Almighty for strength, we ask him to facilitate complete peace and tolerance on this beautiful earth we call home.
Answered by Shaykh Mazhar Mahmood
Question:
I really don’t know what to do. I am depressed and I really need help. I feel like I have drifted apart from my friends. I feel useless, unwanted, and alone. I want my friends to be good Muslims but no one at my school is like that, though I go to an Islamic school. All my friends are obsessed with unlawful things, like music, boys etc. I want to have better company but I cannot find anyone like that. I am thinking of switching schools and starting fresh. My two friends (who are very Islamic and like me) go to a public school and I feel like I should go there. I feel so lonely and I cannot find anyone to help me!
Answer:
To begin with, I express my most sincere sentiments and sympathy upon your situation. I pray to Allāh Almighty that He eliminate all forms of depression from your life.
Adherence to the blessed teachings of Allāh and His Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) is the first and most definite step on your way to a life of peace and bliss.
Below are a few steps to productively enhance one’s life to be at ease and contentment, provided that they are exercised with consistency.
- Ensure
that the connection between slave and Lord remains positively intact.
This is achieved by one trying his/her utmost to fulfill the commands of
Allāh; such as, performing the five daily prayers and maintaining good
conduct with one and all.
Many a times, Allāh admonishes His devotees by afflicting them with trials and depression when they astray off the path of His obedience. Allāh confirms this fact in the Qur’ān: “One who strays from my remembrance will definitely face much narrowness in his/her life.” (Qur’ān 20:124) - Dedicate a portion of the day to the remembrance of Allāh (dhikr). This will prove as an indubitable means of bringing peace at heart. Allāh says: “Verily, in the remembrance of Allāh do hearts find contentment.” (Qur’ān 13: 28)
- Habitually supplicate to Allāh by means of invocations specifically taught to believers afflicted by stress and depression. Some of these invocations could be found in the following link: http://mathabah.org/mathabah/debt-and-stress/
- Actively participate in Islamic youth events/initiatives, sisters programs (halaqah) or any productive events. This will introduce you to other sisters who are also yearning to achieve the motive of progressing in faith and character. Participating in such community events will also give you the opportunity to socialize with the right crowd and keep you active. Inactivity often leads to depression. Allāh’s Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) said: “Righteous company is always much more bountiful than isolation.” (Al-Jāmī’ al-saghīr: 9666)
- Keep connected to a local scholar who will guide you in your daily matters, as the need arises. One of the best ways to do this, is by enrolling in an institute which conveys fundamental teachings of Islām, classes on self-reformation and discourses on how to please Allāh whilst maintaining a positive identity as Muslims living in the West.I encourage you to check out the curriculum on Mathabah.org, where dedicated scholars teach, support and stay connected to their students for the sake of their reformation and Allāh’s pleasure. It is narrated that Zirr bin Hubaish said: “I went to Safwân bin ‘Assâl Al-Murâdi and he said: What brought you here?’ I said: ‘I am seeking knowledge.’ He said: I heard the Messenger of Allāh say: “There is no one who goes out of his house in order to seek knowledge, but the angels lower their wings in approval of his action.”
If the above measures are taken into consideration, I feel it would not be necessary for you to switch schools, rather you would become a means of making a difference at your school Allāh willing. Kindly consult a local scholar for further guidance.
Allāh Almighty Knows Best
