Amongst the galaxy of stars that Islam has produced
over its fourteen hundred odd years, there are many about whom we know
very little or nothing. From the ranks of these illustrious soldiers and
protectors of Deen comes Imaam Muhammad bin Hassan Shaybaan (RA). The
entire Muslim Ummah is indebted to Imam Muhammad (RA) for his compilation
of some of the most complete laws of jurisprudence (Masaail) in history.
Born in the city of Wasith in 132 AH, his family settled in Kufa, Iraq
where he attained his spiritual training and acquired his learning. At the
age of 14, he started his higher education under the illustrious Imaam Abu
Hanifa and spent 4 years in his distinguished company. Later on, he had
the honour of learning under such scholastic giants as Imaam Yusuf (RA),
Imaam Maalik and Imaam Abdullah bin Mubaarak (Rahmatullaahi Álayhim), to
mention a few. It has been reported that Imaam Muhammad would never sleep
at night, spending his time solving difficult legal problems. He started
lecturing in Hadith at the tender age of 20 and thousands of students
would flock to Kufa, especially to hear his discourses on the Muattaa
Imaam Maalik.
Probably one of the closest of contemporary scholars to Imaam Muhammad
(RA) and to whom his friendship was indeed very strong was the
distinguished Imaam Shaafée (RA). If there was anyone who would adequately
sum up the character and scholastic ability of Imaam Muhammad, it would be
Imaam Shaafée. Imaam Shaafée narrates that once he spent the night at
Imaam Muhammad’s residence. He passed the entire night in Salaat whilst
Imaam Muhammad lay comfortably in his bed. At the time of Fajr, he arose
and proceeded for Salaat without performing Wudhu. This perplexed him and
he enquired from his friend as to the state of this affair. Imaam Muhammad
replied, ‘Last night whilst you made your Ibaadat for your own gain, I lay
awake on my bed, extracting more than 1000 Masaail for the benefit of the
Ummah.’
Muhammad bin Salama narrates that Imaam Muhammad used to divide his nights
into 3 parts: one part for sleeping, one part for Salaat and one for
lecturing. He used to spend a great deal of his time in the recitation of
Qurãn.
His scholastic achievements are so vast that his compilations are reported
to be nearly one thousand in number. He was regarded as a ‘writing
machine’ and would sit for lengthy periods in his library producing
masterpieces for which the Ummah are grateful. If one were to just look at
the volume of his works, one would assume it to be the work of an
institution, not just an individual. His efforts constitute the basis of
the Hanafi Maddhab. The total number of Masaail that Imaam Muhammad (RA)
is reported to have extracted from the Qurãn and Ahaadith are 10, 701,
000. Among his most famous literary works are Jaamius Sagheer and Ziyadaat.
Imaam Muhammad left the precincts of this world in the year 189 AH, at the
age of 57
Article taken (with Thanks) from Darul-uloom Bury
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