This showed me that Imam Abū Ḥanīfah  رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه is among those people whose qualities are established like the rulings of Shariah are established, which is why the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم loves him so much.^[1]

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                       صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! Just as we learn about the excellence of Imam Abū Ḥanīfah  رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه from this account, we also learn that the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is aware of the condition of hearts, with the permission of Allah Almighty. This is why the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم answered the question that arose in the heart of Dātā Ganj Bakhsh رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه, saying, “This is Abū Ḥanīfah and he is your Imam.” This occurred in a dream, but there were many occasions when he informed people of matters of the unseen during his worldly life.  

We also learn that visiting the shrines of the pious predecessors رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـه is a practice of our righteous elders, just as Dātā ꜤAlī Hujwīrī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه visited the resting place of Sayyidunā Bilāl رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ. However, it is necessary to observe the requirements of Islamic law in this regard. Furthermore, we come to know that righteous and pious Muslims are blessed with the vision of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and he صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم teaches them in the dream too.

We further learn that what is seen in dreams is often interpreted differently. Dātā ꜤAlī Hujwīrī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه saw the Imam رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه in the lap of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in the dream, and interpreted it to highlight the Imam’s steadfastness upon Islamic law and his protection from error. Therefore, it becomes clear that Imam Abū Ḥanīfah رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه possesses a very high rank and station.

Let us listen to a brief introduction to his life.