2. Imam Abu Hanifah andthe Atheist

2.
Long ago in the city of Baghdad, there was a Muslim empire. On one
sideof the River Tigris were theroyal palaces and on the other side
was the city. TheMuslims were gathered in the Royal Palace when an
athiest approached them. He said to them, 'I don't believe in God,
there cannot be a God, you cannot hear Him or see Him, you're wasting
your time! Bring me your best debator and I will debate this issue
with him.'
The best debator at the time was Imam Abu Hanifah Rahimullah. A
messenger from amongst the Muslims was sent over the River Tigris to
the city, where Abu Hanifah Rahimullah was, in order to tell him about
the athiest who was awaiting him. On crossing the River Tigris, the
messenger conveyed the message to Abu Hanifah Rahimullah saying, 'Oh
Abu Hanifah, anathiest is waiting for you, to debate you, please
come!' Abu Hanifah Rahimullah told the messeneger that he would be on
his way.
The messenger went over the River Tigris once again and to the Royal
Palaces, where everyone including the athiest awaited the arrival of
Abu Hanifah Rahimullah. It was sunset at the time and one hour had
passed, but Abu Hanifah Rahimullah still hadn't arrived. Another hour
had passed, but still there was no sign of him. The Muslims started to
become tense and worried about his late arrival. They did not want the
athiest tothink that they were too scared to debate him, yet they did
not want to take up the challenge themselves as Abu Hanifah Rahimullah
was the best ofDebators from amongst the Muslims. Another hour passed,
and suddenly the athiest started laughing and said, ' Your best
debator is too scared! He knows he's wrong, he is too frightened to
come and debate with me. I gurantee he will not turn up today.'
The Muslims increased in apprehension and eventually it had passed
midnight, and the athiest had a smile on his face. Theclock ticked on,
and finally Abu Hanifah Rahimullah had arrived. The Muslims inquired
about his latenessand remarked, 'Oh Abu Hanifah, a messenger sent for
you hours ago, and youarrive now, explain your lateness to us.'
Abu Hanifah Rahimullah apologises for his lateness and begins to
explain, while the atheist listens to his story.
'Once the messenger delivered the message to me, I began to make my
way to the River Tigris, andon reaching the river bank I realised
there was no boat, in order to cross the river. It was getting dark,
and I looked around, there was no boat anywhere norwas there a
navigator or a sailor in order for me to cross the river to get to
theRoyal Palaces. I continued to look around for a boat, as I did not
want the athiest to think I was running away and did not want to
debate with him.
I was standing on the river bank looking for a navigator or a boat
when something caught my attention in the middle of the river. I
looked forward, and to my amazement I saw planks of wood rising to the
surface from the sea bed. I was shocked, amazed, I couldn't believe
what I saw seeing. Ready made planks of wood wererising up to the
surface andjoining together. They were all the same width and length,
I was astounded at what I saw.
I continued to look into themiddle of the river, and then I saw nails
coming up from the sea floor. They positioned themselves onto the boat
and held theplanks together, without them being banged. I stood in
amazement and thought to myself, 'Oh Allah, how can this happen,planks
of wood rising to the surface by itself, and then nails positioning
themselves onto the boat without being banged?' I could not undertsand
whatwas happening before my eyes.'
The athiest meanwhile waslistening with a smile on his face. Abu
Hanifah Rahimullah continued, 'I was still standing on the river bank
watching these planks of wood join together with nails. I could see
water seeping through the gaps in the wood, and suddenly I saw a
sealant appear from the river and it began sealing the gaps without
someone having poured it, again I thought, 'Ya Allah, how is this
possible, how can sealant appear and seal the gaps without someone
having poured it, and nails appear without someone having banged
them.' I looked closer and I could see a boat forming before my eyes,
I stood in amazementand was filled with shock. All of a sudden a sail
appeared and I thought to myself, 'How is this happening, a boat has
appeared before my eyes by itself, planks of wood, nails, sealant and
now a sail, but how can I use this boat in order to cross the river to
the Royal Palaces?' I stood staring in wonderment and suddenlythe boat
began to move. It came towards me against the current. It stood
floating beside me while I was on the river bank, as if telling me to
embark onto it. I went on the boat and yet again it began to move.
:->

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