History

The talents and interests of people vary. What is key, however, is that one gathers one’s thoughts, ambitions, talents, time, and resources, then devises a clear plan to invest these for the greatest matters of life: Allah and the home of the hereafter.

Any biographer who omits the trial of Imām Aḥmad has been unforgivably deficient, for it cost him 17 years of his life.

A vessel of knowledge, a defender of the Sunnah, an exemplar of a worshipper, and – for those who saw him - a reminder of how the companions of the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ were.

“I saw al-Shāfi’ī in a dream after his demise. I said to him, ‘O Father of ‘Abdullāh, how did Allāh receive you?’ He replied, ‘He sat me on a throne of gold and poured over me the purest of pearls.’”

Did you know that al-Shāfi’ī was only fifteen years old when his teacher gave him permission to issue verdicts?

What a privilege it is to share the biography of yet another luminary – a man whose story leaves one both lost for words and immensely grateful to Allāh for His gift to humanity through such an individual.

“I was with Mālik b. Anas whilst he was conveying to us Ḥadīth, when a scorpion stung him sixteen times. Mālik’s colour began to change as he coerced himself to have patience without interrupting the Ḥadīth of the Prophet ﷺ."

“If the scholars are mentioned, then Mālik is the star."

Sh Ali Hammuda explores the personality, manners and worship of Imām Abū Ḥanīfa, as well as examining the remarkable intelligence that would allow him to intellectually topple his opponents in debates.

Sh Ali Hammuda's brand new series looks at the lives of the eponymous four imams of Islam, in a unique way to distill lessons for us in the 21st century.