17 Examples of Hanafis Abandoning Imam Abu Hanifah’s Opinions
Written by: Muhammad Zubair Sadiq Abadi
This article lists 17 documented examples where not only Ahl-e-Deoband but also Barelvis have abandoned the stated opinions of Imam Abu Hanifah, despite often challenging Ahl-e-Hadith on following Qur’an and Sunnah over a madhhab. The examples show that Hanafis themselves frequently leave Imam Abu Hanifah’s statements when they find stronger evidence or necessity, thus invalidating the objection they make to others.
The examples cover cases such as:
① Supplication between two prostrations – Imam Abu Hanifah said to remain silent, but prominent Deobandi scholars recommend reciting the du‘a based on authentic hadiths.
② Pouring water over the head while fasting – Imam Abu Hanifah considered it makruh, but Deobandi fatwas allow it.
③ Taking wages for teaching Qur’an – Initially prohibited by Imam Abu Hanifah, later permitted by Hanafi scholars due to changing circumstances.
④ Missing husband case – Imam Abu Hanifah required waiting until the presumed age of 120 years, but Deobandis later adopted the Maliki position (90 years) and eventually even shorter waiting periods.
⑤ Praying sunnah after iqamah – Imam Abu Hanifah’s restriction vs. current Deobandi allowance inside the mosque and even at the back rows.
⑥ Muzara‘ah (sharecropping) – Prohibited by Imam Abu Hanifah, permitted by later Hanafi jurists.
⑦ Small amounts of intoxicants – Initially allowed by Imam Abu Hanifah, later prohibited by Hanafis in line with the majority view.
⑧ Permanent residence in Makkah – Imam Abu Hanifah considered it makruh, but the fatwa now follows the opposite view.
⑨ Nafl i‘tikaf for less than one day – Imam Abu Hanifah did not allow, but Deobandis permit even for a short duration upon entering the mosque.
⑩ Marriage of wife of an insane husband – Initially impossible without death, but Deobandi fatwa now allows earlier termination.
⑪ Qada of missed Fajr sunnah – Imam Abu Hanifah disallowed before or after sunrise, but Deobandis allow after sunrise.
⑫ Six days of Shawwal fasting – Makruh according to Imam Abu Hanifah, but now commonly practiced among Deobandis and Barelvis.
⑬ ‘Aqiqah – Imam Abu Hanifah discouraged it, but Barelvis like Ghulam Rasool Saeedi advocate it based on authentic hadiths.
⑭ Conditions for Jumu‘ah prayer – Imam Abu Hanifah’s city definition would invalidate Jumu‘ah in modern cities, but current Hanafi fatwa permits it.
⑮ Breastfeeding limit – Imam Abu Hanifah allowed up to 2.5 years; current Deobandi fatwa limits to 2 years.
⑯ Preferring Imam Zafar’s views – On 17 occasions, Hanafis leave Imam Abu Hanifah’s and his main students’ views for Imam Zafar’s.
⑰ Takbir in non-Arabic languages – Allowed by Imam Abu Hanifah, but modern Deobandis declare it bid‘ah and makruh.
Written by: Muhammad Zubair Sadiq Abadi
This article lists 17 documented examples where not only Ahl-e-Deoband but also Barelvis have abandoned the stated opinions of Imam Abu Hanifah, despite often challenging Ahl-e-Hadith on following Qur’an and Sunnah over a madhhab. The examples show that Hanafis themselves frequently leave Imam Abu Hanifah’s statements when they find stronger evidence or necessity, thus invalidating the objection they make to others.
The examples cover cases such as:
① Supplication between two prostrations – Imam Abu Hanifah said to remain silent, but prominent Deobandi scholars recommend reciting the du‘a based on authentic hadiths.
② Pouring water over the head while fasting – Imam Abu Hanifah considered it makruh, but Deobandi fatwas allow it.
③ Taking wages for teaching Qur’an – Initially prohibited by Imam Abu Hanifah, later permitted by Hanafi scholars due to changing circumstances.
④ Missing husband case – Imam Abu Hanifah required waiting until the presumed age of 120 years, but Deobandis later adopted the Maliki position (90 years) and eventually even shorter waiting periods.
⑤ Praying sunnah after iqamah – Imam Abu Hanifah’s restriction vs. current Deobandi allowance inside the mosque and even at the back rows.
⑥ Muzara‘ah (sharecropping) – Prohibited by Imam Abu Hanifah, permitted by later Hanafi jurists.
⑦ Small amounts of intoxicants – Initially allowed by Imam Abu Hanifah, later prohibited by Hanafis in line with the majority view.
⑧ Permanent residence in Makkah – Imam Abu Hanifah considered it makruh, but the fatwa now follows the opposite view.
⑨ Nafl i‘tikaf for less than one day – Imam Abu Hanifah did not allow, but Deobandis permit even for a short duration upon entering the mosque.
⑩ Marriage of wife of an insane husband – Initially impossible without death, but Deobandi fatwa now allows earlier termination.
⑪ Qada of missed Fajr sunnah – Imam Abu Hanifah disallowed before or after sunrise, but Deobandis allow after sunrise.
⑫ Six days of Shawwal fasting – Makruh according to Imam Abu Hanifah, but now commonly practiced among Deobandis and Barelvis.
⑬ ‘Aqiqah – Imam Abu Hanifah discouraged it, but Barelvis like Ghulam Rasool Saeedi advocate it based on authentic hadiths.
⑭ Conditions for Jumu‘ah prayer – Imam Abu Hanifah’s city definition would invalidate Jumu‘ah in modern cities, but current Hanafi fatwa permits it.
⑮ Breastfeeding limit – Imam Abu Hanifah allowed up to 2.5 years; current Deobandi fatwa limits to 2 years.
⑯ Preferring Imam Zafar’s views – On 17 occasions, Hanafis leave Imam Abu Hanifah’s and his main students’ views for Imam Zafar’s.
⑰ Takbir in non-Arabic languages – Allowed by Imam Abu Hanifah, but modern Deobandis declare it bid‘ah and makruh.
