The source attributes this statement to the scholar without setting out a complete transmission chain. This describes the wording, not its authenticity.
وقد روي عن كعب الأحبار قال: إني لأجد أسامي العلماء والفقهاء في كتب الأولين مكتوبا بصفاتهم وأنسابهم في كل زمان، وأجد اسم رجل يقال له النعمان بن ثابت يكنى بأبي حنيفة، له شأن عظيم في العلم والفقه، ويسود أهل زمانه في العلم يعيش مغبوطا، ويموت مغبوطا.
Show English translation
It is related from Kaʿb al-Aḥbār: “I find the names of scholars and jurists recorded in the books of the ancients, with their descriptions and genealogies in every age. I find the name of a man called al-Nuʿmān ibn Thābit, known as Abū Ḥanīfa. He will have a great standing in knowledge and jurisprudence and lead the people of his age in learning. He will live envied for his good fortune and die envied for it.”
Sources and text notes
al-Zaranjarī, Manāqib Abī Ḥanīfa · Reading edition: Şimşek & Kütük (2018).
- Şimşek & Kütük (2018), printed page 96 · View source page →