The Atheists
It has been reported from Imam Abu Hanifa that he said he was like a sword on the atheists of his time. There were many of them and they had power and strength and were always looking for an opportunity to kill him. One day whilst he was sitting alone in the mosque, a group of them pounced on him with knives and swords drawn and were just about to kill him when he said to them, "Take it easy just answer one question then you can do what you please.". they agreed. He asked, "What do you say regarding a man who says I saw a ship, a vessel loaded with cargo, full with goods, in the depths of some ocean, being battered by gales and rough waves without a navigator, or anybody to care of it. Despite this it proceeds taking its course. Is something like this possible even in the mind?" They replied "No, this is a thing that one's mind doesn't accept and one's imagination doesn't permit." Imam Abu Hanifa said, "Subhanallah, if it is not possible in the mind for a ship to keep its course in these conditions without a navigator or a crew, then how is it possible for this world to carry on despite its ever fluctuating conditions and constantly changing affairs and activities without a creator or a care taker." They all began to cry and said, "You are right." They put away their swords and repented from their sins and error.

A Wise Young Muslim Boy
Many years ago, during the time of the Tâbi'în (the generation of Muslims after the Sahâbah), Baghdâd was a great city of Islam. In fact, it was the capital of the Islamic Empire and, because of the great number of scholars who lived there, it was the center of Islamic knowledge.
One day, the ruler of Rome at the time sent an envoy to Baghdad with three challenges for the Muslims. When the messenger reached the city, he informed the khalîfah that he had three questions which he challenged the Muslims to answer.
The khalîfah gathered together all the scholars of the city and the Roman messenger climbed upon a high platform and said, "I have come with three questions.
If you answer them, then I will leave with you a great amount of wealth which I have brought from the king of Rome." As for the questions, they were: "What was there before Allâh?" "In which direction does Allâh face?" "What is Allâh engaged in at this moment?"
The great assembly of people were silent. (Can you think of answers to these questions?) In the midst of these brilliant scholars and students of Islam was a man looking on with his young son. "O my dear father! I will answer him and silence him!" said the youth. So the boy sought the permission of the khalîfah to give the answers and he was given the permission to do so.
The Roman addressed the young Muslim and repeated his first question, "What was there before Allâh?"
The boy asked, "Do you know how to count?"

"Yes," said the man.

"Then count down from ten!" So the Roman counted down, "ten, nine, eight, ..." until he reached "one" and he stopped counting

"But what comes before 'one'?" asked the boy.

"There is nothing before one- that is it!" said the man.

"Well then, if there obviously is nothing before the arithmetic 'one', then how do you expect that there should be anything before the 'One' who is Absolute Truth, All-Eternal, Everlasting the First, the Last, the Manifest, the Hidden?"

Now the man was surprised by this direct answer which he could not dispute. So he asked, "Then tell me, in which direction is Allâh facing?"

"Bring a candle and light it," said the boy, "and tell me in which direction the flame is facing."

"But the flame is just light- it spreads in each of the four directions,
North, South, East and West. It does not face any one direction only," said the man in wonderment.

The boy cried, "Then if this physical light spreads in all four directions such that you cannot tell me which way it faces, then what do you expect of the Nûr-us-Samâwâti-wal-'Ard: Allâh - the Light of the Heavens and the Earth!? Light upon Light, Allâh faces all directions at all times."

The Roman was stupified and astounded that here was a young child answering his challenges in such a way that he could not argue against the proofs. So, he desperately wanted to try his final question. But before doing so,

the boy said,"Wait! You are the one who is asking the questions and I am the one who is giving the answer to these challenges. It is only fair that you should come down to where I am standing and that I should go up where you are right now, in order that the answers may be heard as clearly as the questions."

This seemed reasonable to the Roman, so he came down from where he was standing and the boy ascended the platform. Then the man repeated his final challenge, "Tell me, what is Allâh doing at this moment?"

The boy proudly answered, "At this moment, when Allâh found upon this high platform a liar and mocker of Islam, He caused him to descend and brought him low. And as for the one who believed in the Oneness of Allâh, He raised him up and established the Truth. Every day He exercises (universal) power (Surah 55 ar-Rahmân, Verse 29)."

The Roman had nothing to say except to leave and return back to his country, defeated. Meanwhile, this young boy grew up to become one of the most famous scholars of Islam. Allâh, the Exalted, blessed him with special wisdom and knowledge of the deen. His name was Abu Hanîfah (rahmatullâh 'alayhi- Allâh have mercy on him) and he is known today as Imâm-e-A'dham, the Great Imâm and scholar of Islam.
[Adapted into English from "Manâqib Abî Hanîfah" written by Imâm Muwaffaq Ibn Ahmad al-Makki (d. 568 Hijri). Dar al - Kitâb al-'Arabiy, Beirut, 1981/1401H.]

source:[Adapted into English from "Manâqib Abî Hanîfah" written by Imâm Muwaffaq Ibn Ahmad al-Makki (d. 568 Hijri). Dar al - Kitâb al-'Arabiy, Beirut, 1981/1401H.]












The Greatest Imam, Abu Hanifa
By Dr. G.F. Haddad
Al-Nu`man ibn Thabit al-Taymi, al-Imam Abu Hanifa (d. 150), called "The Imam" by Abu Dawud, and "The Imam, one of those who have reached the sky" by Ibn Hajar, he is known in the Islamic world as "The Greatest Imam" (al-imâm al-a`zam) and his school has the largest number of followers among the four schools of Ahl al-Sunna. He is the first of the four mujtahid imams and the only Successor (tâbi`i) among them, having seen the Companions Anas ibn Malik, `Abd Allah ibn Abi Awfa, Sahl ibn Sa`d al-Sa`idi, Abu al-Tufayl, and `Amir ibn Wathila.
Abu Hanifa is the first in Islam to organize the writing of fiqh under sub-headings embracing the whole of the Law, beginning with purity (tahara) followed by prayer (sala), an order which was retained by all subsequent scholars such as Malik, Shafi`i, Abu Dawud, Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, and others. All these and their followers are indebted to him and give him a share of their reward because he was the first to open that road for them, according to the hadith of the Prophet: "He who starts something good in Islam has its reward and the reward of those who practice it until the Day of Judgement, without lessening in the least the reward of those who practice it. The one who starts something bad in Islam will incur its punishment and the punishment of all those who practice it until the Day of Judgement without lessening their punishment in the least." Al-Shafi`i referred to this when he said: "People are all the children of Abu Hanifa in fiqh, of Ibn Ishaq in history, of Malik in hadith, and of Muqatil in tafsîr."
source:By Dr. G.F. Haddad

"Take heed, rise, and walk with me." -- A CHRISTMAS CAROL

I've heard stories about Abu Hanifa, treated all people with respect and was honest to the bone.
He is a great exampler of what a Muslim should be.

he was a light of wisdom and a perfect example how a muslim should be indeed , thats why we call him Al-Imam al-A'zam (the Great Imam)
peace

Why are you confused by my post? Perhaps, you didn't like the word "Christmas" because it reminded you of Christian opposition? Regardless, my post was meant to be a compliment. I've heard this story before, or a version of it, and it's a universal one for those who really love God. And BTW, that quote from the Dickens film is in accordance to that specific segment -- I believe.

Peace.

i was not confused i was surprised by your comment , anyway thanks for clarifying , peace out

Hmm, I think I should restate, Abu Hanifa is a example of what every human being (regardless of religion or faith) should be.

There are great examplers (people who do good deeds for all) from every aspect of faiths, it is those people who are capable of shedding the "self-serving" attitudes that we all battle with (to become more spiritual).

We must all respect each others beliefs, for they all have members who show great spirituality. Also keep in mind that each individual (regardless of his religion/faith) has his own personal spirituality to care for and cultivate, ie: no two Christians are alike as their own experiences in life mold them into what they will become in the hereafter.

Abu Hanifa's world was forged in a harsh political climate of the Umayyad dynasty, how he kept from becoming corrupted in itself was a miracle.

thats true

Interesting topic yes Abu Hanifa was a great scholar of islam

Is there a point to this, other than to spread your religious beliefs? Just wondered if there was anything to discuss, or shall I just praise Allah?

When creating a thread Abdullah, it must be clear what is to be discussed. Merely posting information without any comment on what it is you wish discussed will lead to confusion and frustration from members. Please be clear on what exactly it is you want discussed.

Also if you have copied these writings from an internet site you must provide the link, not just the name of the author.

Eqg this topic falls under the category : Spirituality, Religion and Beliefs so i think the post fits very well , i think Abdullah tries to share some Islamic wisdom with the forum , interesting story especially how the Imam approached the atheists , greetings Lost

Yeah...read what the mod said.
This is not a place to share, it's a place to discuss. If I posted a sermon about Jesus Christ and left no room for discussion, what would that be?

The above is one of the forum rules, and you guys are treading very close to exactly that, as I am sure the mods are aware.

Having a point would be nice! But what I find most interesting is that if someone did this type of posting from a christian point of view, all the familiar spirited atheist would pounce on it, as I have seen it many times here. Did they all just vanish into thin air? Or is their atheism biased?

i understand what you mean in the future i will post some topics that are discussable , peace out

Not all atheists in the west were raised / born into muslim familes. So islam is foriegn (no pun) territory. The only atheist I know on this board who owns and has read the koran/quoran is Kratos.

Now common sense would tell you if he wrote something on a forum used for discussion, one could assume that you either reply that you agree, dissagree or add to the thread.
Does he realy have to type out do you agree or disagree. Or maybe members should be required to put there posts in question form or maybe add a poll to it so people wont get confused on why there posting there idea on a forum of discussion.

Only a verry few posts on these boards ever have a question or asks members there opinion.
Most threads started on UM are just statements or sermons. People either disagree with it or agree with it.


Anyways.

He sounds like a good neighbor but Ive heard better storys about holy men. I would give him a 6.

The Imam is not a holy man just a pious worshipper of God
this is just 1% of the Imams amazing life , i just liked to share it , but it seems people like to discuss instead of learn also , but i understand the forum rules , peace all

Who was the ruler of Rome? and roughly what date are we talking?

Are we going to get an answer?