Imam Abu Hanifa (699 A.D - 767 A.D) was Tabi'i who met many of the Prophet's companions. He was the first of the four famous Imams who established the Hanafi school of thought. Even though Abu Hanifa didn't meet any of the three Imams, Imam Ashafi'i (766 A.D - 820 A.D), who was the third Imam, bridged the gap by studying Hanafi Fiqh. He, Ashafi'i, was the student of the second Imam: Imam Malik (715 A.D - 796 A.D) and the teacher of the fourth Imam: Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal (780 A.D - 855 A.D)
As you see, all these great scholars are students and teachers of one another, directly or otherwise, so we shouldn't favor one over the other.
Note: The difference between the four schools of thought is only in Fiqh, not in creed.
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Feel The Glory | By Rey Shin Saburo
RandomThis is a collection of intriguing Muslims who lived a long time ago. This book also consists of islamic reminders and knowledge. It's written by my dear friend and brother who goes by the penname Rey Shin Saburo. So, everything that you will learn...