Imam Khatib al-Baghdadi narrates from Muhammad Ibn Salimah and Abu Abdullah Saymari narrates from Fadl Ibn Ghanim that when Imam Abu Yusuf fell ill, Imam Abu Hanifah went to visit him a number of times. On one occasion, he found him looking very frail and weak. Imam Abu Hanifah recited ‘Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un and remarked: “I hope you will remain after me for the benefit of the Mu’minin and if they are afflicted with your death, then a great treasure of knowledge will be exterminated with your death.”
According to another report, Imam Abu Hanifah said: “If this young man dies, nobody on the entire face of the earth will be able to fill his place.”
Imam Abu Yusuf recovered from the illness – with the grace of Allah. When he heard such praise and commendation from one of the accolades of his time and his teacher, Abu Hanifah, he felt happy and felt a bit of vanity in his heart prompting him to establish his own circle of knowledge. He began to teach people and disseminate what he had acquired from his teacher and eventually discontinued to attend the classes of Imam Abu Hanifah.
After hearing the news that his student had started his own circle to teach people, Imam Abu Hanifah wanted to teach his eager student a valuable lesson for everyone to ponder upon. He sent one of his students to the circle of Abu Yusuf and requested him to pose the following question to Abu Yusuf: ‘A man handed a garment to the laundryman with the agreement that he will wash it for two dirhams. When he went to pick the garment up after a few days, the laundryman refused to acknowledge that he had ever received a garment from him. The man returned home and after a few days went back to the launderette asking for his garment. The laundryman returned the garment to him. Now the question arises, does the man pay the laundry man for his labour?
Imam Abu Hanifah told his student that whether Abu Yusuf answers in the affirmative or in the negative, in both cases he should say that the answer is incorrect. So Imam Abu Hanifah’s student went to the circle of Abu Yusuf and posed the question for the answers. First he (Abu Yusuf) said the fee is binding. The man replied: ‘You are mistaken’. Pondering and scratching his head for a little while, Imam Abu Yusuf said: ‘’No he is not eligible for a fee’’. The student, with the instruction of his teacher, Abu Hanifah again said to him: ‘’You are mistaken’’.
Imam Abu Yusuf was baffled by this question and immediately headed towards the majlis (circle) of Imam Abu Hanifah and he said to Abu Yusuf: ‘’It seems as though the issue of the laundryman has brought you here?’’ Imam Abu Yusuf replied: ‘’Yes.’’
Imam Abu Hanifah commented: ‘’Subhan Allah! A person who shoulders the responsibility of issuing Fatwas, establishes his own circle of teaching, and speaks with authority in the religion of Allah is in such a position that he is unable to issue a valid answer to a proposition of Ijarah?’’
Imam Abu Yusuf acknowledged the situation and submitted: ‘’My respected teacher! Please inform me of the correct answer.’’
Imam Abu Hanifah realising the confusion his student has found himself replied: ‘’If he washed the garment after he refused to hand it over, then he is not entitled to a fee because he washed it for himself. However, if he washed it before usurping it, he is entitled to the fee because he washed it for the owner of the garment.’’
Lessons:
- When a Muslim is ill, it is one if the duties of brotherhood to visit him and comfort him with tender, kind and hope lifting words so that he does not despair the mercy of Allah. The Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah when visiting the sick was to supplicate with the following prayer, لا بأس طهورا إن شاء الله – No need to worry. It (this illness) is a means of cleansing from sins, if Allah wills. (Bukhari). Unfortunately, this small deed in the minds of people yet a weighty one on the sight of Allah is often neglected and many people here about such and such to be ill but do not establish this virtuous Sunnah of the beloved. If only they knew the immense reward that is in store for this deed. By visiting the sick one will also appreciate the blessings of Allah, show gratitude to Him and increase in Taqwa and obedience to Allah.
- One should not present himself to the people as a knowledgeable person without having studied the sacred sciences with notable scholars or in a institution of learning for a number of years which are sufficient to cover the Usul and the furu’ of the religion. This story should remind those who speak about the religion without adequate knowledge to first learn and then teach people. A person attending few weekend or short courses here and there does not qualify him/her to issue verdicts to people.
- A student of knowledge must seek permission from his teachers (Shuyukh) before he embarks upon disseminating knowledge to others. The student should be cautious of being haste in taking the chair (kursi) of tadris (teaching).
- Being in company of righteous people who will give sincere advice (nasiha). Unfortunately, we live in a time and in a society wherein flattering has become the norm. People smile at your face yet behind your back they scheme and plot only to undermine you or degrade your integrity. What is even sadder is that some Muslims have become accustomed to this immoral behaviour. People will try and further their own agenda at the expense of others!
- Being aware of the trickery of the Shaytan and always keeping guard from his army. As Imam Ibn Taymiyyah said, the Shaytan comes to the student of knowledge more than any other people so he must be sincere and be on his guard all the time.
- This story also demonstrates the high level of intelligence and wisdom of Imam Abu Hanifah. This is clearly a lesson for all, especially those who are in positions of teaching. Imam Abu Hanifah cared for his student’s well being in this life and the next.
- When a student is confused about a matter he should go to the people knowledge and not become stubborn and arrogant.
- Always be aware that however much you have acquired from the knowledge there is someone greater than you, so show humility towards others.
- The student should have love and adoration for his teachers and should consider himself to be sick and he has presented himself to his teacher, the wise doctor to prescribe him the remedy which will cure him from the disease of ignorance.
- The importance of niyyat (intention) and that it encompasses or falls under every chapter of knowledge. The laundryman’s fee is contingent upon his intention regarding the garment.
We ask Allah to guide us and increase us in knowledge and taqwa.
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