Differences of Opinions Among Imam Abu Haneefah and His Students

The books of Fiqh are replete with the differences of opinions among these great Fuqahaa. When studying the books of Fiqh, it is seen that there are occasions when the Fatwa is on the Qual of Saahibayn, or on the Qual of one of them, and not on the opinion of Imam Saheb.

When these differences arose, Imam Saheb did not ‘force’ his opinion down the throats of his students, nor did he use his superiority of being their teacher to make them discard their opinions and follow his. So, differences of opinion existed from their time, and even before them. What is seen is that although they differed on certain issues, dignity and respect were maintained, and opinions were not forced. Also, there was no belittling of the other opinion, nor ridicule of the person holding another opinion. Just as they are our guides in Fiqh, similarly, their attitudes, forbearance, quality of toleration, mutual respect, and dignity are also lessons to follow.

Today this is completely lost. If a student differs with a teacher, he is considered deviated. If a contemporary holds another opinion, he is deviated. Then he is branded, ridiculed, at times sworn at, and at times cursed.

This has also never been the method of the Akaabir of Deoband. They did not even vilify their open enemies. So, if this was never the method of our predecessors, where and when did this begin among us? It began when Nafsaaniyat crept in, it began when we discarded the Tareeqah of our elders, it began when we developed the attitude of ‘I am always right’!

This has caused chaos in the Ummah. It has harmed the Ummah greatly. We have harmed the Ummah to please our egos, and this is truly lamentable.

Hadhrat Haji Imdaadullah Saheb Rahmatullaahi Alayh said: "The secret of unity lies in every person thinking of himself to be the lowest."

It is not being said that a person does not have the right to disagree with another’s opinion. What is being said is to disagree in a dignified manner, without belittling, degrading, swearing, and vilifying the next person. We have discarded the standards set by the predecessors. We have adopted ways foreign and alien to their teachings. If we do not return to their teachings, we will remain on a perilous path.

It is time we change our attitudes, for our own benefit and success and for the benefit of the Ummah.