BENEFIT 485: Did Abu Hanifah Believe the Qur’an Was Created?

Question: The questioner says: "We came across a statement in 'Kitāb As-Sunnah' by Imām Ḥarb Al-Kirmāni which mentions that Abū Ḥanīfah held the belief in the creation of the Qur'ān. We are uncertain about the authenticity of this attribution. If it is indeed authentically reported from him, then how is it that he is still counted among the leading imams such as Mālik, Ash-Shāfi‘ē, and Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal — may Allāh have mercy on them all? Sheikh Yahya Al-Hajoori hafidahullah: In the biographical account of Abū Ḥanīfah in 'Tārikh Baghdād' by Imām Al-Khaṭīb Al-Baghdādi — may Allāh have mercy on him — he transmitted from Imām Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal who said: "It has not been authentically established with us that Abū Ḥanīfah said the Qur'ān is created." And you know that Imām Aḥmad was extremely firm against those who held the belief in the creation of the Qur'ān; he was among the most knowledgeable people in this matter. Therefore, this statement (attributing the belief to Abū Ḥanīfah) has not been confirmed by the leading scholars. Yes, it has been reported, but it is not affirmed authentically. And had it been firmly proven, he (Abū Ḥanīfah) would have been counted among the Jahmiyyah — particularly by Imām Aḥmad, who would have undoubtedly considered him one of them, without question.