11 Nov 2021 By Know Muslim
Yet Another Unique Incident In The Life Of Imam Abu Hanifah رحمة الله عليه
As was his wont, he went home one day after Zuhr to rest. He lived in an upper story. He went there and lay down on his bed. Just then, someone knocked the door below. How very infuriating it is for one who has not slept in the night and has been working all day to be disturbed just as he lays himself to rest! But, the Imam got down the staircase and opened the door. He found a man standing there and asked him what he wanted. He wanted to ask a question. Now, this was not the time to ask questions. The Imam had set aside a time when men put their questions and got the reply, they solved their problems. However the Imam did not rebuke him but invited him to ask his question. He said, "What can I say? When I was coming here. I knew what I had to ask but I have forgotten it now. I cannot remember it." Imam Abu Hanifah رحمة الله عليه said, "Well, you may ask me when you remember it." He did not tell him off, or scold him. Quietly, he returned upstairs to his quarters. He had just lied down when there was a second knock on the door. He came down again and opened the" door to find the same man there. "What is it?" he asked and was told by that visitor, "I had remembered the question." "Go on, ask it." "O, I had remembered it until a short while ago but I forgot it again when you were halfway down." Anyone else would have lost his temper but Imam Abu Hanifah رحمة الله عليه, had sacrificed personal comfort and suppressed his ego. He said to him, "When you remember it, you may ask me." He went up stairs to his bed and prepared to sleep. The knock was heard a third time and he came down again to find the same man at the door. "I have recalled the question." The Imam said, "Go on, ask it." He said, "I wish to know if the faces of man tastes sweet or sour?" (We seek the protection of Allah. What a question to ask?)
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