Al-Imam Al-A'zam, AbuHanifa (r.a.) (699-767)

Al-Imam Al-Azam Abu Hanifa (ra), one of the most prominent figures
of the Islamic world, was a foresighted and highly insightful scholar.
His sound personality and profound fear of Allah were greatly
instrumental in his being embraced by the Islamic world.
Abu Hanifa (ra) was a very intelligent sharia scholar who always kept
his mind on the remembrance of Allah , meticulously observed Allah's
bounds, avoided vain and unbeneficial talk, and concisely responded to
questions. He attached great importance to what was entrusted to him.
He was a person who kept his lower-self under control in all
circumstances. He was a person of great compassion. The objections and
unbecoming words he faced throughout his life never daunted him from
his services rendered for the cause of Allah.
He possessed a pure wisdom that Allah granted him. He never experience
any breakdown in his line of thought and never ran behind in
responding. If anyone acted stubbornly or raised difficulties, he
tried to teach him the morality of Islam in the most calm and gracious
manner.
Imam Hanifa devoted a great part of his life to knowledge. Among his
principles were trusting in what was reliable, avoiding the
unreliable, tending towards the one that did not stir up trouble among
people and ensuring that no complications arose .
The method employed byAl-Imam Abu Hanifa (ra) in assessing issues was
based on the following seven principles:
Book: The pillar of the Religion and the strong rope of Almighty Allah.
Sunnah: Explanation of Allah's Book that provided details regarding
the general provisions.
The Accounts: The accounts of the Companions who transmitted the
"risalat" and personally witnessedthe revelations.
Comparison: A method resorted to by sharia scholars in the absence of
evidence about an issue in the Qur'an, the Sunnahof our Prophet (saas)
or astatement of a Companion.
Istihsan: The particular judgment of a Sharia scholar that makes it
necessary for him to abandon previous judgments he made for similar
issues relying on an evidence such as a nass (injunction), ijma, a
state of necessity, concealed qiyas or recommendations.
İjma: The consensus of sharia scholars on any issue in any age. All
scholars agreed that ijmais an "evidence".
Tradition: The practices of Muslims about any issue in which no nass
(injuction) exists in the Qur'an, Sunnah and the practices of the
Companions.
Al-Imam Al-A'zam, Abu Hanifa
AL-IMAM AL-AZAM ABU HANIFA, THE IMAM OF OUR SCHOOL, STATED THAT THE
DESCENT OF THE PROPHET JESUS (AS) AND THE APPEARANCE OF HAZRAT MAHDI
(AS) ARE THE "ISSUES THAT ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO DENY"
Fiqh al-Akbar and the Wasiyyat , the two risaletsof Abu Hanifa, are
the most precious and earliest texts on Islamic creed. The Fiqh
al-Akbar of Abu Hanifa is the fundamental book of Ahl al-Sunnah. In
this work, Imam Azam Abu Hanifa relates that the descent of the
Prophet Jesus (as) and the appearance of Hazrat Mahdi (as) as the
"issues that are impossible to deny":
The appearance of the dajjal (anti-Christ) and the Gog, the sunrise
fromthe West, the descent of Prophet Jesus (as) from the sky and other
portents of the Day of Judgment informed by trustworthy hadiths are
right and they will happen. There are also other great portents of the
Day of Judgment, likethe coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as). All these
happenings are correct , as brought and related by trustworthy
hadiths. and they will accordingly happen. (Translation of Fiqh
al-Akbar, Al-Imam Al-Azam Abu Hanifa, Prepared by Ali Riza Kasheli,
p.99)
The appearance of dajjal (anti-Christ) and the Gog, the sunrise from
the West, the descent of Prophet Jesus (as) from the sky and other
portents of the Day of Judgment are right, as the trustworthy accounts
relate us, and they will happen. (Abu Hanifa, Nu'man ibn Sabid
(150/767), Fiqh al-Akbar , Translated by: H. Basri Chantay, Ankara,
1982)
When the Day of Judgment will come, Prophet Jesus (as) will descend on
Earth and thus all nations will cometo become a single nation as an
Islamic nation. Before the adventof Prophet Jesus (as), Hazrat Mahdi
(as) will appear in the realms of Mecca and Medina and then arrive to
Jerusalem. Then dajjal will come andremain with him. Prophet Jesus
(as), on theother hand, will come down from the East Minaret in
Damascus to render the dajjal ineffective and there he will make him
ineffectiveby a blow. When ProphetJesus (as) descends, dajjalwill
dissolve and disappear as if salt dissolves in water. Then Prophet
Jesus (as) will meet Hazrat Mahdi (as). Meanwhile they will pray
together. Hazrat Mahdi (as) will point to ProphetJesus (as) to lead
the prayer, but Prophet Jesus(as) will offer his excuse telling that
this prayer is fulfilled for him and thus he deserves more to lead the
prayer. Prophet Jesus (as) will follow Hazrat Mahdi (as) to reveal
that he complies with the sharia of our Prophet (saas) and thus they
will fulfill their prayers together.

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Beings created with interesting characteristics

Among beings, which has the ability to imitate a friend?
How does a tree speciesthat purifies water makethis happen?
What are the systems inthe foot structures of different species?
A Close Friend of a Master of Imitation Swimming in the Seas
ofIndonesia: The Jawfish
Many living things can conceal themselves by taking the color of its
surroundings by means of its camouflage abilities. However, to
impersonate a different species by changing color and shape and to
perfectly imitate them is a new type of behavior, discovered by
scientists only recently. As it is known, the octopus has tens of
thousands of sacscalled "chromatophores"on its body. The ctopus can
shrink and loosen these sacs to look like any background color
orimage. However, the mimic octopus also changes its appearance to
imitate other animals.It can color itself with the colors of a
lionfish, then it bravely swims away after enlarging its eight arms
around its body to resemble the poisonous thorns of the lion fish. Or
it can place its head and seven arms like triangle shape of a
tortonese's stingray and moves along the sea surface by dragging its
eighth arm like its tail. Or it jumps into a sand hill to look like a
poisonous sea anemone and holds its arms in a zigzag mode. Not havinga
hard interior and outer skeleton gives this being a body structure
ideal for imitation. This behavior displayed by the octopus is of
course very interesting and a result of our Lord's control over living
beings. However, what ismore interesting is the existence of a fish,
which takes advantage of an octopus that runs away from its hunters
byimitating the fish. This fish, called the jawfish, swims around the
octopus and tries to takeadvantage of its strategyof protection.
It is of course very interesting that an octopus with no wisdomand
consciousness imitates a fish to defend itself, but what is more
interesting is the existence of a fish, which knows and takes
advantage of this characteristic of the octopus. Our Lord reminds us
once more the perfect creation of His Self with these examples, which
requirewisdom. In one verse it is revealed as such:
" Allah is the Creator of everything and He is Guardian over
everything. ." (Surat az-Zumar, 62)
A Carnivorous Plant Species: Philcoxia Minensis
A new carnivorous plant species was discovered in Brasil . This plant,
called "Philcoxia Minensis", uses its sticky leaves underground by
secreting a gum-like substance and traps worms. Researchers notethat
these plants that generally live under difficult conditions have a
carnivorous type of nutrition and that they are quite rare in nature.
It is understood that some species even hunt large-sized creatures
likeruminant mammals due to a general lack of food.The purpose behind
the plant being carnivorous is to supply itself for the need of
protein. However, while the plant supplies for this need, it also
breaks down dead beings and increases the soil's fertility. No doubt,
there is a matchless plan in thehunting process of this plant and
after. Here Allah shows these flawless evidences of creation to
people. Allah reveals His control over and matchless creation of
living things in one verse as such:
"That is Allah, your Lord. There is no god but Him, the Creator of
everything. So worship Him. He is responsible for everything. " (Surat
Al-An'am, 102)
Strong Mechanisms in Rhino Feet
The rhinocerous is the largest living mammal after elephants. Rhinos
can run 45 kilometers per hour and change their directions
suddenlywith an agility most unexpected from its large body. One of
the most interesting characteristics of these beings, which are
typically three to five tons in weight and almost two meters long is
that their short and rather small feet can carry all this weight of
many tons. Now scientists are planning tosolve the foot structure of
rhinos and build land vehicles that can lift and carry very heavy
objects while moving. Rhinos use this mechanism, which scientists
cannot understand yet, since the first day they were created. This
truth, where Allah's infinite might of creation is displayed, is
revealed in one verse as such:
"The keys of the Unseen are in His possession. No one knows them but
Him. He knows everything in the land and sea. No leaf falls without
His knowing it. There is no seed in the darkness of the earth, and
nothing moist or drywhich is not in a Clear Book." (Surat Al-An'am,59)
Mechanism That Prevents Husky Dogs From Freezing
Husky dogs that live in Alaska are a canine species that can run
veryfast and thanks to this quality they are frequently used in
pulling a sled. One of themost interesting characteristics of these
beings, which can live atminus 60 degrees temperature due to
theirthick fur, is that their feet are not affected andnot frozen when
walking in this cold. When scientists examine the foot structure of
these dogs, they discovered that there is a unique temperature change
system in their veins. Also this system not only transfers the heat to
their feet, but also makes sure that the blood that will return to the
heart is at the appropriate temperature.
There is no doubt that this structure is only one of the works of
Allah's infinite wisdom and matchless creation. In one verse it is
revealed as such:
" Say: 'To whom does everything in the heavens and earth belong?' Say:
'To Allah.' He has made mercy incumbent on Himself. He will gather you
to theDay of Rising about which there is no doubt. As for those who
have lost their own selves, they have no iman. " (Surat Al-An'am, 12)
The Fish That Walks on Four Fins
The red-lipped batfish is the only fish that walks on its four fins.
This fish has a very strange appearance with its fins created to walk,
its nose with a peculiar shape and big red lips.
The batfish can walk on the sand like a man using their chest fins.
Using these fins, the batfish can easily stand on the ocean floor and
walk on the tips of their fins. As with the angler fish, the batfish
also has small skin parts, which they use as a fishhook, underneath
their nose to trick other fish.
As in every living being, Allah is the One Who creates these beings
with interesting featurescompatible with their needs.
"That is Allah, your Lord. There is no god but Him, the Creator of
everything. So worship Him. He is responsible for everything. " (Surat
Al-An'am, 102)
Sticky Hairs of the Gecko Fish
The gecko fish, which is a small fish species found on the North
Pacific coasts, are specialized in holding onto the rocks while
searching for food, by sticking. This is because our Lord created a
sticking technique on the fins of these fish like the gecko fish.
There aretiny hairs on these fins. Thanks to this, they can hold onto
hard surfaces at an atomic degree. Thanks to this sticky surface, the
fish can also carry 180 times its own weight. No doubt, the fins,
which Almighty Allah granted to this fish as a blessing, are a perfect
system for this creature to feed. These characteristics, which are
examples of Allah's infinite knowledge and matchless art, are revealed
in the Qur'an assuch:
" In the heavens and earth there are certainly Signs for the faithful.
And in your creation andall the creatures He has spread about there
are Signs for people with certainty. " (Surat al-Jathiyya, 3-4)
A Fast Runner Lizard: Basilisk
The basilisk is a lizard species that can run veryfast by standing up.
This lizard is so fast that it runs on water by taking up to 20 steps
per second. As its feet touch the water, every toe shortens to
increase the foot's surface area and thus push the water easily. In
this way, its feet easily balance the body weight. When the lizard's
feet push againstthe water, it forms an airbubble to get extra support
and buys time for the other foot to complete its turn and touch the
water. As the weight is transferred to the second foot, the lizard
pulls its first foot away from the water before the bubble disappears.
The air bubble is very important, because if the foot directly touches
the water, the lizard could fall into the water.
When the movement of the lizard is compared tohuman beings, a human
would need to run at a speed of 30 meters per second and its muscles
would need to flex 15 times more than normal in order to do this
movement; this is of course impossible.
Scientists examine the movement strategies of this being and aim to
develop systems that canprevent the elderly from falling down. Of
course, the basilisk walking on water is a result of Allah's control
over all beings on earth. In one verse it is revealed as such:
" Do you not know that Allah is He to Whom the kingdom of the heavens
and the earth belongs and that, besides Allah, you have no protector
and no helper? " (Surat al-Baqara, 107)
The Miracle Tree That Purifies Water: Moringa Oleifera
A tree species named "moringa oleifera" that is widespread in Africa,
India and Indonesia not only supplies food and fuel needs but also
purifies the water. Whenthe crushed seeds of thisplant known as the
"miracle tree" are put into muddy water, it makes the particles in
water clog and so sinks to the bottom and removes the muddiness.In
addition to this it kills many microbes and bacteria as it sinks to
thebottom because our Lord created a protein with antibacterial
features inside the seedsof this tree. Scientists plan to tie this
protein tothe soil and clean the bacteria and organic compounds inside
the soil. However, for now, the only problem is to ensure the
sustainability of this cleanliness, because if the appropriate
techniques are not used, organic compounds could returnto water again.
No doubt, using this method to purify water would prevent the residues
that contain many bacteria and viruses which cause environmental
pollution.This special structure of the plant is only one of the
details of Allah's art of creation. Allah's control over and matchless
creation of living things is revealed in one verse:
"That is Allah, your Lord; there is on god but He, the Creator of all
things, so worship Him. And He is Disposer of all things." (Surah
al-An'am, 102)
Almighty Allah granted living things a variety of qualities to
survive, maintain their existence and continue their species. These
living beings have the ability to struggle against manyproblems, which
are incomparable to human beings, and very difficultconditions. These
beings, which are the unique examples of our Lord's art of creation
and knowledge, can hunt, defend their own by running away from their
enemies ,and protect their offspring thanks to these amazing
qualities. Almighty Allah revealed that He created very different
animals in one verse of the Qur'an:
"Have they not seen howWe created for them, by Our own handiwork,
livestock which are under their control? " (Surah Ya Sin, 71)
Allah created all living things together with thesuperior qualities
they must have for their livelihood. All of these qualities, which
amaze us when we learn of them, are only some of the examples of
Allah's unique creation and infinite might and that He controls
everything.
What people need to do is to be able to see the amazing creation
evidences in animals andthus appreciate Allah's might and praise Him
with glory. In one verse, our Lord's knowledge of creation is revealed
as follows:
"Allah created every animal from water. Some of them go on their
bellies, some of them on two legs, and some on four. Allah creates
whatever He wills. Allah has power over all things. " (Surat an-Nur,
45)

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God's different forms of creation

Another important pointignored by the believers who are deceived by
theerror of evolutionary creation is God's different forms of
creation. God has produced living things that differ significantly
from humans and animals, such as angels and the jinn. Now let's
discuss this.
Two-, Three-, and Four-Winged Angels
Angels are mentioned both in Qur'an and Bible.Angels are beings that
always obey God's commands. God describes their creation in the Qur'an
as follows:
Praise be to God, the Bringer into Being of theheavens and Earth, He
Who made the angels messengers, with wings – two, three, or four. He
adds to creation in any way He wills. God has power over all things.
(Surah Fatir, 1)
As we can see from this description, the forms ofangels differ
considerably from those of human beings. God draws attention to the
different forms of creation in this verse.
God also informs how angels are at His command and obey Him:
Everything in the heavens and every creature on Earth prostrates to
God, as do the angels. They are not puffed up with pride. They fear
their Lord above them and do everything that they are ordered to do.
(Surat an-Nahl, 49-50)
The Messiah would never disdain to be a servant of God, nor would the
angels near toHim. If any do disdain to worship Him and grow arrogant,
He will in any case gather them all to Him. (Surat an-Nisa', 172)
You who believe! Safeguard yourselves and your families from a Fire
whose fuel is peopleand stones. Harsh, terrible angels are in charge
of it, who do not disobey God in respect of any order He gives them
and carry out whatthey are ordered to do. (Surat at-Tahrim, 6)
In addition, angels were created before man. In fact, God told the
angels when He was going to create the Prophet Adam(pbuh), the first
human being, and commanded them to prostrate beforehim.
At the same time, God gave the Prophet Adam (pbuh) knowledge that was
different from that of the angels, and taught him the names ofthings.
Angels do not possess that knowledge. As it is revealed in the Qur'an:
When your Lord said to the angels, "I am puttinga vicegerent on
Earth," they said, "Why put on itone who will cause corruption on it
and shed blood when we glorify You with praise and proclaim Your
purity?" He said, "I knowwhat you do not know." He taught Adam the
names of all things. ThenHe arrayed them before the angels and said,
"Tellme the names of these, ifyou are telling the truth." They said,
"Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us.
You are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise." He said,"Adam, tell them their
names." When he had told them their names, He said, "Did I not tell
you that I know the Unseen of the heavens and Earth, and I know what
you make known and what you hide?" Wesaid to the angels,"Prostrate to
Adam!" andthey prostrated, with theexception of Iblis (satan). He
refused and was arrogant and was one of the disbelievers. (Surat
al-Baqara, 30-34)

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They work in an area where no people live; dothey have to pray Jumu’ah?

* Friday Prayers - - - We are a group of men working far away from
our homes and families, in a place where there are no people living,
andno buildings or mosques. The time we spend at work is equal to the
time we spend in our homes, i.e., we workfor 28 days in return for 28
days off. This continues all year round,and we work for 12 hours each
day.
What about holding Jumu'ah prayers in this place – is it obligatory ornot?.
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not obligatory to pray Jumu'ah in this place, rather you should
pray Zuhr, because you are not permanent residents there and there are
no permanent residents with whom you can pray Jumu'ah.
The scholars of the Standing Committee were asked about some people
who left the city to work in agriculture, and they stayed there for as
long as the work lasted, no less than two to four months each year. It
is difficult for them to go back to the city to pray Jumu'ah whilst
they are working. Is Jumu'ah prayer obligatory for them? Is
itpermissible for them to hold Jumu'ah prayers in their work place or
not, or do they have to go to the city even though that is difficult
for them?Or is it waived in their case as it is for travellers? What
is the length of time in the workplace at which Jumu'ah is waived for
them?
They replied:
If the farms on which they work are permanently inhabited, then they
have to pray Jumu'ah, with the permanent residents. They can pray with
themor with others with whom it is easy for themto pray Jumu'ah,
because of the general meaning of the evidencewhich indicates that
Jumu'ah is obligatory and it is obligatory to make the effort to
attend Jumu'ah prayers.
If those who work on these farms can hear theadhaan for Jumu'ah from
their village or from another village near their farms, then they must
go and pray with the congregation (jamaa'ah) of the Muslims, because
of the general meaning of the verse in which Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the
Salaah (prayer) on Friday (Jumu'ah prayer), come to the remembrance of
Allaah [Jumu'ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salaah (prayer)]"
[al-Jumu'ah 63:9]
If there are no permanent residents on these farms and they cannot
hear the adhaan for Jumu'ah from the village that is near their farm,
they do not have to pray Jumu'ah but theyshould pray Zuhr in
congregation.
There were tribes and farms in the al-'Awaali districts around
Madeenah at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him), and he did not command the people there to come to Jumu'ah
prayers. If he had, that would have been narrated. This indicates that
it is not obligatory for such people because of the hardship involved.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah li'l-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wa'l-Ifta', 8/221, 222
And they also said:
If the company for which you are working is not in a place where
Jumu'ah prayers are held or near such a place, and there are no
permanent residents in the company for whom Jumu'ah is obligatory, you
do not have to offer Jumu'ah prayers, rather you have to pray Zuhr.
But if the company is in a place where Jumu'ah prayers are held or
near such a place and you canhear the adhaan, or there are permanent
residents for whom Jumu'ah is obligatory, then you have to pray
Jumu'ah with the permanent residents of that place or company.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 8/220.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about some
students living away from home and the ruling on holding Jumu'ah
prayers in foreign lands. He replied:
The scholars have stated that you and people like you do not have to
hold Friday prayers, and thereis some dispute as to whether Friday
prayers offered by you are valid. Rather what you have todo is to pray
Zuhr, because you are more akin to travellers and those who live in
the desert. Jumu'ah is only obligatory for permanent residents. The
evidence for that is the fact that the Prophet(peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) did not command travellers or those living in the
desert to pray Jumu'ah, and he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) did not do that when he was travelling, and neither did his
companions (mayAllaah be pleased with them). It is proven in thesaheeh
ahaadeeth that during the Farewell Pilgrimage the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) prayed Zuhr in 'Arafah on a Friday;
he did not pray Jumu'ah or command the pilgrims todo so, because they
came under the ruling on travellers. I do not know of any differing
opinion among the scholars of Islam regarding this matter, praise be
to Allaah, apartfrom some odd views among some of the Taabi'een, with
which we need not concern ourselves.
But if there are some permanent Muslim residents who pray Jumu'ah
there, then it is prescribed in sharee'ah for you and others like you
who are staying in that place temporarily inorder to seek knowledge,
do business,etc, to pray with them sothat you may attain the virtue of
praying Jumu'ah. Some the scholars have stated thatit is obligatory
for the traveller to join the permanent residents if he stays in a
place whereJumu'ah prayers are held and his stay exceeds the period
during which shorteningthe prayers is allowed.

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