Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq

It is related that Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq, author of the military campaigns, envied Abū Ḥanīfa because he saw al-Manṣūr favour him above other scholars. In the caliph's presence, he asked Abū Ḥanīfa: “What do you say about someone who swears an oath, falls silent, then says ‘if God wills’ after finishing?” He replied: “The exception has no effect because it is disconnected; it helps only when connected.” Ibn Isḥāq objected: “How can it fail when the caliph's ancestor, ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAbbās, said it has effect even after a year, according to ‘Remember your Lord when you forget’ (Qurʾān 18:24)?” The caliph asked whether this was his ancestor's position. Told yes, he angrily asked: “Do you oppose my ancestor, Abū Ḥanīfa?” He replied: “Ibn ʿAbbās's statement has an interpretation that makes it correct.” Then he said: “Commander of the Faithful, this man and his companions do not consider you fit for the caliphate. They pledge allegiance, then leave and say ‘if God wills,’ releasing themselves from their pledge without breaking an oath.” The caliph told his attendants, “Seize this man”—meaning Ibn Isḥāq. They seized him, placed his leg against his neck and imprisoned him.