Abū Sulaymān Mūsā ibn Sulaymān al-Jūzjānī

Among those who learned jurisprudence from both Abū Yūsuf and Muḥammad were Abū Sulaymān Mūsā ibn Sulaymān al-Jūzjānī and Muʿallā ibn Manṣūr al-Rāzī. They transmitted the books and dictated lessons from them both. In scrupulousness, religion, and retention of jurisprudence and hadith, they held an elevated rank.

Among those who learned jurisprudence from both Abū Yūsuf and Muḥammad were Abū Sulaymān Mūsā ibn Sulaymān al-Jūzjānī and Muʿallā ibn Manṣūr al-Rāzī. They transmitted the books and dictated lessons from them both. In scrupulousness, religion, and retention of jurisprudence and hadith, they held an elevated rank.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya related to us: Ibrāhīm ibn Saʿīd related to us: Al-Maʾmūn summoned Mūsā ibn Sulaymān and Muʿallā al-Rāzī. He began with Abū Sulaymān because of his age and his reputation for scrupulousness, and offered him the judgeship. He replied, “Commander of the Faithful, safeguard God's rights in judicial office, and do not entrust your responsibility to someone like me. By God, my anger cannot be trusted, and I do not consider myself fit before God to judge His servants.” He said, “You have spoken truthfully; we have excused you.” He prayed for him and turned to Muʿallā, addressing him similarly. Muʿallā replied, “I am not fit.” He asked, “Why?” He replied, “I am a man who deals in debts; I spend the night both owing and being owed.” He said, “We shall order your debts paid and your outstanding debts collected. We shall accept what anyone pays you, and compensate you for what anyone fails to pay.” He replied, “I have doubts in judgment, and that entails the loss of people's property.” He said, “Your religious brothers will attend your court. Ask them about whatever you doubt, and implement what you find sound.” He replied, “For forty years I have sought a man to whom I could entrust my testamentary affairs, without finding anyone. Where, then, shall I find someone to help me discharge God's obligatory rights, whom I can trust with your religion and mine?” So he excused him.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya related to us: Ibrāhīm ibn Saʿīd related to us: Al-Maʾmūn summoned Mūsā ibn Sulaymān and Muʿallā al-Rāzī. He began with Abū Sulaymān because of his age and his reputation for scrupulousness, and offered him the judgeship. He replied, “Commander of the Faithful, safeguard God's rights in judicial office, and do not entrust your responsibility to someone like me. By God, my anger cannot be trusted, and I do not consider myself fit before God to judge His servants.” He said, “You have spoken truthfully; we have excused you.” He prayed for him and turned to Muʿallā, addressing him similarly. Muʿallā replied, “I am not fit.” He asked, “Why?” He replied, “I am a man who deals in debts; I spend the night both owing and being owed.” He said, “We shall order your debts paid and your outstanding debts collected. We shall accept what anyone pays you, and compensate you for what anyone fails to pay.” He replied, “I have doubts in judgment, and that entails the loss of people's property.” He said, “Your religious brothers will attend your court. Ask them about whatever you doubt, and implement what you find sound.” He replied, “For forty years I have sought a man to whom I could entrust my testamentary affairs, without finding anyone. Where, then, shall I find someone to help me discharge God's obligatory rights, whom I can trust with your religion and mine?” So he excused him.

Among those who learned from both of them was Hishām ibn ʿUbayd Allāh al-Rāzī, although he was weak in transmission. Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan died in his house in Rayy and was buried in their cemetery. I heard Shaykh Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn Mūsā, God have mercy on him, report of Shaykh Abū Bakr al-Rāzī that he disliked having the Uṣūl read to him through Hishām's transmission because of its inconsistencies. He would direct that the Uṣūl be read through Abū Sulaymān's or Muḥammad ibn Samāʿa's transmission because of their soundness and the two men's precision.

Among those who learned from both of them was Hishām ibn ʿUbayd Allāh al-Rāzī, although he was weak in transmission. Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan died in his house in Rayy and was buried in their cemetery. I heard Shaykh Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn Mūsā, God have mercy on him, report of Shaykh Abū Bakr al-Rāzī that he disliked having the Uṣūl read to him through Hishām's transmission because of its inconsistencies. He would direct that the Uṣūl be read through Abū Sulaymān's or Muḥammad ibn Samāʿa's transmission because of their soundness and the two men's precision.

Of this generation was the judge Abū al-ʿAbbās Aḥmad ibn ʿĪsā al-Birtī. He transmitted the books from Abū Sulaymān al-Jūzjānī. One side of Baghdad was entrusted to him, and the other to Ismāʿīl ibn Isḥāq. Then, in al-Muʿtamid's reign, he requested release, returned his appointment document to them, stayed in his house, and devoted himself to worship until he died.

Of this generation was the judge Abū al-ʿAbbās Aḥmad ibn ʿĪsā al-Birtī. He transmitted the books from Abū Sulaymān al-Jūzjānī. One side of Baghdad was entrusted to him, and the other to Ismāʿīl ibn Isḥāq. Then, in al-Muʿtamid's reign, he requested release, returned his appointment document to them, stayed in his house, and devoted himself to worship until he died.

Abū Ḥafṣ ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reciter informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad narrated to us: Ibn Samāʿa and Bishr ibn al-Walīd narrated to us, from Abū Yūsuf, from Abū Ḥanīfa, who said: All our scholars used to say that the two prostrations for forgetfulness come after the salutation, and that one recites the testimony of faith and gives the salutation with them. Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān said: This is how Anas ibn Mālik gives his ruling. Abū Ḥanīfa said: I asked Anas ibn Mālik, and he said: That is how it is.

Abū Ḥafṣ ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reciter informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad narrated to us: Ibn Samāʿa and Bishr ibn al-Walīd narrated to us, from Abū Yūsuf, from Abū Ḥanīfa, who said: All our scholars used to say that the two prostrations for forgetfulness come after the salutation, and that one recites the testimony of faith and gives the salutation with them. Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān said: This is how Anas ibn Mālik gives his ruling. Abū Ḥanīfa said: I asked Anas ibn Mālik, and he said: That is how it is.

Abū Ḥafṣ ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Minjāb narrated to us: Sharīk narrated to us, from Ḥuṣayn, who said: A woman came to Abū Ḥanīfa’s circle while he was studying theology and put a question to him and his companions. They could give no adequate answer. She went to Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān, asked him, and he answered her. She returned and said: You misled me! I heard your discourse, but you could do nothing properly. Abū Ḥanīfa got up and went to Ḥammād, who asked him: What brought you? He said: I seek jurisprudence. He said: Learn three questions every day, and do not add anything beyond them until some knowledge becomes established for you. He did so and kept attending the circle until he became learned in jurisprudence. People then pointed him out with their fingers.

Abū Ḥafṣ ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Minjāb narrated to us: Sharīk narrated to us, from Ḥuṣayn, who said: A woman came to Abū Ḥanīfa’s circle while he was studying theology and put a question to him and his companions. They could give no adequate answer. She went to Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān, asked him, and he answered her. She returned and said: You misled me! I heard your discourse, but you could do nothing properly. Abū Ḥanīfa got up and went to Ḥammād, who asked him: What brought you? He said: I seek jurisprudence. He said: Learn three questions every day, and do not add anything beyond them until some knowledge becomes established for you. He did so and kept attending the circle until he became learned in jurisprudence. People then pointed him out with their fingers.

Abū Ḥafṣ ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reciter informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad narrated to us: Ibn Mughallis narrated to us: Ibn ʿĀbis narrated to us: I heard Ḥammād ibn Salama say: After Ibrāhīm al-Nakhaʿī’s death, the mufti of Kufa and the person to whom people looked in jurisprudence was Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān. He supplied the people’s needs. When he died, they needed someone to sit and teach them. His companions feared that his memory would die and knowledge disappear. Ḥammād had a son with good knowledge, and they agreed upon him. His father’s companions—Abū Bakr al-Nahshalī, Abū Burda al-ʿUtbī, Muḥammad ibn Jābir al-Ḥanafī, and others—came and attended him. But grammar and Arab speech predominated in his interests, and he could not patiently remain sitting with them. Their opinion then settled on Abū Bakr al-Nahshalī. They asked him, but he declined. They asked Abū Burda, but he declined. Then they asked Abū Ḥanīfa. He said: I do not wish knowledge to die. He agreed and sat to teach them, and they attended him. After them came Abū Yūsuf, Asad ibn ʿAmr, al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn, Zufar ibn al-Hudhayl, al-Walīd, and men from Kufa. Abū Ḥanīfa taught them understanding of religion, showing them great kindness and continual care. Ibn Abī Laylā, Ibn Shubruma, Sharīk, and Sufyān opposed him and sought to discredit him. This continued until his position became firmly established, the governors needed him, and the caliphs spoke of him.

Abū Ḥafṣ ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reciter informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad narrated to us: Ibn Mughallis narrated to us: Ibn ʿĀbis narrated to us: I heard Ḥammād ibn Salama say: After Ibrāhīm al-Nakhaʿī’s death, the mufti of Kufa and the person to whom people looked in jurisprudence was Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān. He supplied the people’s needs. When he died, they needed someone to sit and teach them. His companions feared that his memory would die and knowledge disappear. Ḥammād had a son with good knowledge, and they agreed upon him. His father’s companions—Abū Bakr al-Nahshalī, Abū Burda al-ʿUtbī, Muḥammad ibn Jābir al-Ḥanafī, and others—came and attended him. But grammar and Arab speech predominated in his interests, and he could not patiently remain sitting with them. Their opinion then settled on Abū Bakr al-Nahshalī. They asked him, but he declined. They asked Abū Burda, but he declined. Then they asked Abū Ḥanīfa. He said: I do not wish knowledge to die. He agreed and sat to teach them, and they attended him. After them came Abū Yūsuf, Asad ibn ʿAmr, al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn, Zufar ibn al-Hudhayl, al-Walīd, and men from Kufa. Abū Ḥanīfa taught them understanding of religion, showing them great kindness and continual care. Ibn Abī Laylā, Ibn Shubruma, Sharīk, and Sufyān opposed him and sought to discredit him. This continued until his position became firmly established, the governors needed him, and the caliphs spoke of him.

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥulwānī informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Al-Ḥasan ibn al-Rabīʿ narrated to us: Ibn al-Mubārak narrated to us: I heard Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī say: The people’s mufti in Kufa was Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān. Ḥammād had a son called Ismāʿīl ibn Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān. When Ḥammād died, they agreed that Ismāʿīl should sit to teach them and patiently attend to them. But they found that poetry, evening conversation, and accounts of bygone people predominated in his interests. Abū Bakr al-Nahshalī, one of Ḥammād’s companions, Abū Burda, Muḥammad ibn Jābir al-Ḥanafī, and a group of Ḥammād’s companions spoke; Abū Ḥuṣayn and Ḥabīb ibn Abī Thābit said: This silk merchant has good knowledge, though he is young; have him sit to teach. They did so. He was wealthy, generous, and intelligent. He sat and patiently devoted himself to them, generously supported them and gave them gifts. Judges and governors honored him, and his standing rose. The senior generation attended him; after them came Abū Yūsuf, Asad ibn ʿAmr, al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn, Abū Bakr al-Hudhalī, and al-Walīd ibn Abān. Those who opposed him and criticized him were Ibn Abī Laylā, Ibn Shubruma, al-Thawrī, Sharīk, and a group who disagreed with him and sought to discredit him. His standing continued to rise and his companions multiplied until his circle was the largest in the mosque and the most ample in answering questions. He was patient with them, generously provided for every needy person among them, and gave gifts to every prosperous person. People’s attention turned toward him until governors, judges, and nobles honored him. He met extraordinary expenses, everyone praised him, and he accomplished things that defeated the Arabs. His broad knowledge enabled him, and destiny favored him; those who envied him multiplied. He used to say: A judge is like a swimmer in the sea: how long can he swim, and whom can he satisfy, even if he is learned?

Abū al-Qāsim ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad al-Ḥulwānī informed us: Makram ibn Aḥmad narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Al-Ḥasan ibn al-Rabīʿ narrated to us: Ibn al-Mubārak narrated to us: I heard Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī say: The people’s mufti in Kufa was Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān. Ḥammād had a son called Ismāʿīl ibn Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān. When Ḥammād died, they agreed that Ismāʿīl should sit to teach them and patiently attend to them. But they found that poetry, evening conversation, and accounts of bygone people predominated in his interests. Abū Bakr al-Nahshalī, one of Ḥammād’s companions, Abū Burda, Muḥammad ibn Jābir al-Ḥanafī, and a group of Ḥammād’s companions spoke; Abū Ḥuṣayn and Ḥabīb ibn Abī Thābit said: This silk merchant has good knowledge, though he is young; have him sit to teach. They did so. He was wealthy, generous, and intelligent. He sat and patiently devoted himself to them, generously supported them and gave them gifts. Judges and governors honored him, and his standing rose. The senior generation attended him; after them came Abū Yūsuf, Asad ibn ʿAmr, al-Qāsim ibn Maʿn, Abū Bakr al-Hudhalī, and al-Walīd ibn Abān. Those who opposed him and criticized him were Ibn Abī Laylā, Ibn Shubruma, al-Thawrī, Sharīk, and a group who disagreed with him and sought to discredit him. His standing continued to rise and his companions multiplied until his circle was the largest in the mosque and the most ample in answering questions. He was patient with them, provided abundantly for every needy person among them, and gave gifts to every prosperous person. People’s attention turned toward him until governors, judges, and nobles honored him. He met extraordinary expenses, everyone praised him, and he accomplished things that defeated the Arabs. His broad knowledge enabled him, and destiny favored him; those who envied him multiplied. He used to say: A judge is like a swimmer in the sea: how long can he swim, and whom can he satisfy, even if he is learned?

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad related to us: Minjāb related to us: Sharīk related to us: I saw Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān, ʿAlqama ibn Marthad, Muḥārib ibn Dithār, ʿAwn ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿUtba, ʿAbd al-Malik ibn ʿUmayr, Abū Hammām al-Salūlī, Mūsā ibn Ṭalḥa, and Abū Ḥanīfa, may God be pleased with them. Among them I saw nobody whose night worship was better than Abū Ḥanīfa’s. I was with him for a year and never saw him lay his side on a bed.

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad related to us: Minjāb related to us: Sharīk related to us: I saw Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān, ʿAlqama ibn Marthad, Muḥārib ibn Dithār, ʿAwn ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿUtba, ʿAbd al-Malik ibn ʿUmayr, Abū Hammām al-Sakūnī, Mūsā ibn Ṭalḥa, and Abū Ḥanīfa, may God be pleased with them. Among them I saw nobody whose night worship was better than Abū Ḥanīfa’s. I was with him for a year and never saw him lay his side on a bed.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reader informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Yūnus related to us: al-Muʿāfā ibn ʿImrān related to us: I heard Abū al-Juwayriyya say: I accompanied and saw Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān, Muḥārib ibn Dithār, ʿAlqama ibn Marthad, ʿAwn ibn ʿAbd Allāh, Salama ibn Kuhayl, ʿAṭāʾ, Ṭāwūs, and Saʿīd ibn Jubayr, may God be pleased with them. I also saw Abū Ḥanīfa when he was young. I saw nobody among them whose night worship was better than his, may God be pleased with him.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reader informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad related to us: Aḥmad ibn Yūnus related to us: al-Muʿāfā ibn ʿImrān related to us: I heard Abū al-Juwayriyya say: I accompanied and saw Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān, Muḥārib ibn Dithār, ʿAlqama ibn Marthad, ʿAwn ibn ʿAbd Allāh, Salama ibn Kuhayl, ʿAṭāʾ, Ṭāwūs, and Saʿīd ibn Jubayr, may God be pleased with them. I also saw Abū Ḥanīfa when he was young. I saw nobody among them whose night worship was better than his, may God be pleased with him.

Abū ʿAbd Allāh Muḥammad ibn ʿImrān ibn Mūsā al-Marzubānī informed us: Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā al-Ṣūlī related to me: I heard Abū Khāzim the judge say: Abū Ḥanīfa said: We attended Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān and never left without a benefit. One day we gained nothing except his saying: “When a difficult question comes to you, make its answer come from the question itself.” I memorized it, thinking it insignificant. Much later I went to al-Manṣūr’s residence. Al-Rabīʿ the chamberlain came out to test me: “Advise me concerning the Commander of the Faithful, who orders me to kill people and seize property. Do I incur anything by obeying him?” Remembering Ḥammād’s words, I asked: “Does not the Commander of the Faithful command you justly?” He said yes. I replied: “Then do it when he commands you thus, and you will be rewarded.”

Muḥammad said: Sharīk did likewise, as Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī al-Ākharī related to us: Abū al-ʿAynāʾ related: al-Jāḥiẓ related to us: Al-Mahdī asked Sharīk, with ʿĪsā ibn Mūsā present: “If ʿĪsā testified before you, would you accept him?” He intended to provoke discord between them. Sharīk replied: “I inquire about whoever testifies before me. About ʿĪsā we would ask only the Commander of the Faithful. If you attest his reliability, Commander of the Faithful, I shall accept him.” Thus he turned the question back upon him.

Abū ʿAbd Allāh Muḥammad ibn ʿImrān ibn Mūsā al-Marzubānī informed us: Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā al-Ṣūlī related to me: I heard Abū Khāzim the judge say: Abū Ḥanīfa said: We attended Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān and never left without a benefit. One day we gained nothing except his saying: “When a difficult question comes to you, make its answer come from the question itself.” I memorized it, thinking it insignificant. Much later I went to al-Manṣūr’s residence. Al-Rabīʿ the chamberlain came out to test me: “Advise me concerning the Commander of the Faithful, who orders me to kill people and seize property. Do I incur anything by obeying him?” Remembering Ḥammād’s words, I asked: “Does not the Commander of the Faithful command you justly?” He said yes. I replied: “Then do it when he commands you thus, and you will be rewarded.” Muḥammad said: Sharīk did likewise, as Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī al-Ājurrī related to us: Abū al-ʿAynāʾ related: al-Jāḥiẓ related to us: Al-Mahdī asked Sharīk, with ʿĪsā ibn Mūsā present: “If ʿĪsā testified before you, would you accept him?” He intended to provoke discord between them. Sharīk replied: “I inquire about whoever testifies before me. About ʿĪsā we would ask only the Commander of the Faithful. If you attest his reliability, Commander of the Faithful, I shall accept him.” Thus he turned the question back upon him.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Ibn Mughallis narrated to us: Hannād ibn al-Sarī narrated to us: I heard Yūnus ibn Bukayr say: I heard Ismāʿīl ibn Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān say: My father was away on a journey, and then returned. I asked him: Father, whom did you miss most? I thought he would say: My son. Instead he said: Abū Ḥanīfa. If I could never raise my eyes away from him, I would do so.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Ibn Mughallis narrated to us: Hannād ibn al-Sarī narrated to us: I heard Yūnus ibn Bukayr say: I heard Ismāʿīl ibn Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān say: My father was away on a journey, and then returned. I asked him: Father, whom did you miss most? I thought he would say: My son. Instead he said: Abū Ḥanīfa. If I could never raise my eyes away from him, I would do so.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the reciter informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Mughallis narrated to us: Naṣr ibn ʿAlī narrated to us: I heard Khālid ibn al-Ḥārith say: I heard Shuʿba say: I heard Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān say: Abū Ḥanīfa—may God have mercy on him—sat with us with good bearing, dignity, and scrupulousness. We nourished him with knowledge until his questions became subtle, and I feared for him because of that. By God, he understood well and retained well, until people vilified him over matters that, by God, he understood better than they. They will meet God tomorrow. I know that knowledge is al-Nuʿmān’s companion just as I know that daylight has a radiance that dispels the night’s darkness.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the reciter informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Mughallis narrated to us: Naṣr ibn ʿAlī narrated to us: I heard Khālid ibn al-Ḥārith say: I heard Shuʿba say: I heard Ḥammād ibn Abī Sulaymān say: Abū Ḥanīfa—may God have mercy on him—sat with us with good bearing, dignity, and scrupulousness. We nourished him with knowledge until his questions became subtle, and I feared for him because of that. By God, he understood well and retained well, until people vilified him over matters that, by God, he understood better than they. Let them meet God tomorrow. I know that knowledge is al-Nuʿmān’s companion just as I know that daylight has a radiance that dispels the night’s darkness.

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Mūsā ibn Sulaymān, Muḥammad ibn Samāʿa, and Bishr ibn al-Walīd—God’s mercy upon them—narrated to us: Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan—may God have mercy on him—narrated to us: Abū Ḥanīfa—God’s mercy upon him—debated his companions about analogies, and they could hold their own and oppose him. But when he said, ‘I adopt juristic preference,’ none could keep up with him because of the many cases he brought forward under juristic preference. They would all desist and concede to him.

ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Mūsā ibn Sulaymān, Muḥammad ibn Samāʿa, and Bishr ibn al-Walīdnarrated to us: Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasannarrated to us: Abū Ḥanīfadebated his companions about analogies, and they could hold their own and oppose him. But when he said, ‘I adopt juristic preference,’ none could keep up with him because of the many cases he brought forward under juristic preference. They would all desist and concede to him.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reader informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad related to us: Muḥammad ibn Samāʿa, Bishr ibn al-Walīd, and Mūsā ibn Sulaymān al-Jūzajānī related to us: Abū Yūsuf related to us: Most jurists of Kufa performed most prayers in the congregational mosque; they also performed the predawn prayer there. Misʿar openly displayed hostility to Abū Ḥanīfa and encouraged attacks upon him. One night, as he was leaving, he passed Abū Ḥanīfa in prostration. He placed small pebbles on his garment without his knowing and went out. Abū Ḥanīfa used to say: “A jurist should impose upon himself some practice which people do not regard as obligatory.” He also said: “When sleep enters the heart, ablution becomes obligatory.” Misʿar went out and returned after the call to the morning prayer. He found Abū Ḥanīfa still in the same position, weeping and supplicating. Then he stood and performed the two dawn units, imploring God until the prayer was announced. He performed the morning prayer with the ablution of the beginning of the night. In the morning Misʿar took a group of his companions by the hand, went to him, and said: “I repent to God for speaking about you; release me from my obligation to you.” Abū Ḥanīfa replied: “Any ignorant person who has backbitten me is released, but a person of knowledge remains accountable until he repents, because scholars’ backbiting leaves a blemish among people. As for me, I have released you. But what of God’s claim against you for what He prohibited in His Book and His Prophet’s Sunna?” Thereafter they lived as brothers until they died.

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm the Qurʾān reader informed us: Makram related to us: Aḥmad related to us: Muḥammad ibn Samāʿa, Bishr ibn al-Walīd, and Mūsā ibn Sulaymān al-Jūzajānī related to us: Abū Yūsuf related to us: Most jurists of Kufa performed most prayers in the congregational mosque; they also performed the predawn prayer there. Misʿar openly displayed hostility to Abū Ḥanīfa and encouraged attacks upon him. One night, as he was leaving, he passed Abū Ḥanīfa in prostration. He placed small pebbles on his garment without his knowing and went out. Abū Ḥanīfa used to say: “A jurist should impose upon himself some practice which people do not regard as obligatory.” He also said: “When sleep enters the heart, ablution becomes obligatory.” Misʿar went out and returned after the call to the morning prayer. He found Abū Ḥanīfa still in the same position, weeping and supplicating. Then he stood and performed the two dawn units, imploring God until the prayer was announced. He performed the morning prayer with the ablution of the beginning of the night. In the morning Misʿar took a group of his companions by the hand, went to him, and said: “I repent to God Most High for speaking about you; release me from my obligation to you.” Abū Ḥanīfa—may God be pleased with him—replied: “Any ignorant person who has backbitten me is released, but a person of knowledge remains accountable until he repents, because scholars’ backbiting leaves a blemish among people. As for me, I have released you. But what of God’s claim against you for what He prohibited in His Book and the Sunna of His Prophet—God bless him and grant him peace?” Thereafter they lived as brothers until they died.

Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Ṣayrafī informed us: Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-Miskī related: Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī al-Nakhaʿī related: Muḥammad ibn Saʿdān related: Abū Sulaymān al-Jūzajānī related: Khārija ibn Muṣʿab related: I heard ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAwn mention Abū Ḥanīfa and say: “He is a man of night worship and devotion.” One associate said: “He states a position today and retracts it tomorrow.” Ibn ʿAwn replied: “That is evidence of scrupulousness. Only a religious man retracts one position for another; otherwise he would defend his error and argue for it.”

Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Ṣayrafī informed us: Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-Miskī related: Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī al-Nakhaʿī related: Muḥammad ibn Saʿdān related: Abū Sulaymān al-Jūzajānī related: Khārija ibn Muṣʿab related: I heard ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAwn mention Abū Ḥanīfa and say: “He is a man of night worship and devotion.” One associate said: “He states a position today and retracts it tomorrow.” Ibn ʿAwn replied: “That is evidence of scrupulousness. Only a religious man retracts one position for another; otherwise he would defend his error and argue for it.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Abū Sulaymān al-Jūzjānī narrated to us, saying: Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh, judge of Basra, told me, “We understand legal documents better than the Kufans.” I replied, “Fairness toward scholars is better. Abū Ḥanīfa established this; you added something, removed something, and improved the wording. But bring your documents and the Kufans’ documents from before Abū Ḥanīfa.” He fell silent and said, “Submitting to the truth is preferable.”

ʿUmar ibn Ibrāhīm informed us: Makram narrated to us: Aḥmad ibn ʿAṭiyya narrated to us: Abū Sulaymān al-Jūzjānī narrated to us, saying: Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh, judge of Basra, told me, “We understand legal documents better than the Kufans.” I replied, “Fairness toward scholars is better. Abū Ḥanīfa established this; you added something, removed something, and improved the wording. But bring your documents and the Kufans’ documents from before Abū Ḥanīfa.” He fell silent and said, “Submitting to the truth is preferable.”

Judge ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad informed us: Abū Bakr informed us: Al-Ṭaḥāwī related to us: Ibn Abī ʿImrān related to us: Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Ṭabarī related to us: Abū Sulaymān al-Jūzjānī related to us, from Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan: I used to visit Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī as a boy and ask him questions. If I asked what he thought I needed, he answered; if I asked about these legal questions of ours, he smiled, showing me that he understood and knew them, without answering. Then he would say, “We have something to attend to; will you give leave?” and get up. I heard that he used to ask about me, and was told, “This is a boy of the Banū Shaybān, of their clients.” He would say, “He will attain a place in learning,” describing a great rank.

Judge ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad informed us: Abū Bakr informed us: Al-Ṭaḥāwī related to us: Ibn Abī ʿImrān related to us: Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Ṭabarī related to us: Abū Sulaymān al-Jūzjānī related to us, from Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan: I used to visit Dāwūd al-Ṭāʾī as a boy and ask him questions. If I asked what he thought I needed, he answered; if I asked about these legal questions of ours, he smiled, showing me that he understood and knew them, without answering. Then he would say, “We have something to attend to; will you give leave?” and get up. I heard that he used to ask about me, and was told, “This is a boy of the Banū Shaybān, of their clients.” He would say, “He will attain a place in learning,” describing a great rank.