Islam: Biographies

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Further reading

Abū Ḥanīfa

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Abū Ḥanīfa (d. 767 (AH 150)). Muslim theologian and jurist, and founder of the Ḥanafites (Kufan) law school (sharīʿa). Abū Ḥanīfa's use of qiyās (analogy), istiḥsān (juristic preference), raʾy (personal judgement) to resolve new legal problems arising in the expanding Muslim world, characterized his law school, in contrast to the other schools of law. Furthermore, he stressed the idea of an international Muslim community, unified by the Qurʾān and Sunna, avoiding extremes. In his personal life, he suffered punishment and imprisonment at the hands of the Umayyads and ʿAbbāsids because of his independent viewpoint and his refusal to accept the official post of qādī in Kūfa. He died in prison in Baghdād. His school of law is extensively followed and applied in the Muslim world.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

JOHN BOWKER. "Abū Ḥanīfa." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Abū Ḥanīfa." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Abanfa.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Abū Ḥanīfa." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Abanfa.html

Learn more about citation styles

Abu Hanifa

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Abu Hanifa , 699–767, Muslim jurist. He founded the Hanafite system of Islamic jurisprudence, which gives the judge considerable discretion when the Qur'an and the Sunna (traditions) are inapplicable (see Islam ).

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Abu Hanifa." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Abu Hanifa." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-AbuHanif.html

"Abu Hanifa." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-AbuHanif.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Encyclopaedia Islamica, vol. 1: A -Abu Hanifa.(Book review) Magazine article from: The Journal of the American Oriental Society; 1/1/2010
	Encyclopaedia Islamica, vol. 1: A-Abu Hanifa Magazine article from: The Journal of the American Oriental Society; 1/1/2010
	IRAQ - Sunni Area Closed Off. Newspaper article from: APS Diplomat Redrawing the Islamic Map; 5/1/2006