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Continuing the Legacy (I): Imām Abū Yūsuf
The foremost student of Imām Abū Ḥanīfah, Imām Abū Yūsuf, is well-known for his exceptional intellect and wisdom.
His full name is Abū Yūsuf Yaʿqūb b. Ibrāhīm al-Anṣārī. His lineage links up to a ṣaḥābī who was from the Anṣār. Many scholars say he was born in 113 AH, although his date of birth is a contentious issue amongst Islamic historians. Others, including Shaykh Zāhid al-Kawtharī, based on their research and analysis, mention that he was born in 93 AH.
He grew up in Kufa. From a young age, he wanted to study sacred knowledge, but his family was very poor. One day while he was studying, his father told him that he should start earning a living instead of sitting with Imām Abū Ḥanīfah, who was well-off and didn’t need to worry about making money. He wanted to obey his father, so he started working. Later, Imām Abū Ḥanīfah noticed he was not present and asked about him. When he came, he asked him about what was occupying his time. He replied that he was trying to obey his father by earning a living. On hearing this, Imām Abū Ḥanīfah handed him a bag containing a hundred dirhams after the people around him had departed. He told him to stay in the lessons and let him know when that money was depleting. In this manner, he continued supporting him financially so he could study. Imām Abū Yūsuf mentions that he never told him that the money was…
