Download PDF: [S] Imam Abu Yusuf’s Advice (Islamic story)

Imam Abu Yusuf’s – may Allah be pleased with him – full name is Imam Yaqub bin Ebrahim bin Habeeb Ansaari Kufi Baghdadi – may Allah be pleased with him.

 

Imam Abu Yusuf – may Allah be pleased with him – is considered as one of the greatest students of Imam A’zam, Imam Abu Hanifah – may Allah be pleased with him. He was one of the first students to spread the teachings of his illustrious teacher and he was considered as one of the greatest Jurist and Haafizul Hadith of his era. He was born in Kufah in 113 A.H. and was made the Chief Justice during the reign of Sultan Harun Rashid. Imam Abu Yusuf – may Allah be pleased with him – is one of the key scholars to have been responsible for the collection of laws which govern the Sunni Hanafi system. He has written many books and unlike Imam Mohammed Ash Shaybani Imam Abu Yusuf – may Allah be pleased with him – he was highly involved in governmental issues. Imam Abu Yusuf – may Allah be pleased with him – also passed away during the reign of Sultan Harun Rashid in the year 182 A.H. (Al ‘Alaam, 8/193).

 

In one of his famous treatise entitled, “Kitaabul Khiraaj” Imam Abu Yusuf – may Allah be pleased with him –  set a long set of rules and regulations to Sultan Harun Rashid on how to govern in the proper Islamic manner.

 

After praising Allah Almighty and His beloved Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – Imam Abu Yusuf – may Allah be pleased with him – advised among other things that this was a great position which had been given to the Sultan and that as there was great reward in this position, there was also great punishment if it was not followed in the proper manner.

 

Imam Abu Yusuf – may Allah be pleased with him – advised the Sultan that even though he was responsible for constructing many historical edifices, but if these were not done on Taqwah, then they would not last.

 

He advised the Sultan on the Great Day when all creation would have to give account for their deeds and that as a person who was given this royal position, he had to be extra cautious in upholding his duty to the Muslims.

 

Imam Abu Yusuf – may Allah be pleased with him – advised how tragic it would be when sins cannot be pardoned and what type of embarrassment awaited that individual. Allah Almighty would also give each person what it had earned.

 

He also advised the Sultan to watch every step he took and not to deny the rights of the Muslims.

 

He also advised that on the Day of Judgement, the position of someone in this world would not be looked upon, but his deeds would be seen.

 

Such was the advice which Imam Abu Yusuf – may Allah be pleased with him – delivered to the Sultan who was considered as one of the most powerful leaders of his era, that the Sultan did not object to anything but was forced to bow his head in front of such advice.