Mausoleum of Imam Abu Khafs Kabir in Bukhara
Mausoleum of Imam Abu Khafs Kabir
Known to the entire Islamic world under the name Abu Khafs Kabir Bukhari, a great theologian and philosopher, religious scholar, the greatest expert on hadith, an unparalleled saint, prince and leader of scientists, a contemporary and teacher of Imam Bukhari, Abu Hafs Ahmad ibn Hafs ibn Zabarkon ibn Abdullah ibn Kabir al-Ijli al-Bukhari was born in 150 year of hijrah (768 AD) in the city of Bukhara, where he died in 216 (832 AD).
Life and Studies
Travelling to Islamic cities far from Bukhara, particularly Baghdad, then considered the capital of Islamic science and culture, he became a student of Imam Muhammad ibn Hassan al-Shaibani (d. 804), who was a prominent disciple of the founder of the Hanafi madhhab, theologian, Islamic jurist, and hadith scholar Abu Hanifa Nu'man ibn Thabit – Imam Azam (699, Kufa – 767, Baghdad).
Upon his return, the people of Bukhara organized a solemn welcome for him. They requested that he serve the community by teaching and enriching spiritual and educational life with the knowledge he brought from Iraq. A special place was prepared for him in the mosque to teach and guide the people.
Contributions to Islamic Law
A student of Imam Azam, Abu Khafs Kabir was a significant scholar who contributed greatly to the foundations of Islamic law. According to Narshakhi, Bukhara earned the title "Kubbat ul-Islam" – "Dome of the Islamic Faith" due to his services. Abu Hafs himself was given the titles Kabir Bukhari – The Grand Bukhari, Imomi Khojatbaror – Rescuing Imam, and Hazrati Imam – His Excellency Imam.
His collection "Fatovoi Abu Hafs" (Fatwas of Abu Hafs) became a celebrated and widely recognized guide for Islamic jurists across the Muslim world. On various aspects of Islamic law, Abu Khafs Kabir authored several works, including Al-Akhvol Ikhtilof (Frivolous Reasoning and Disagreement) and Ar-Raddu Alal-Lafziyya (Resistance to the Upper-Eyes), among others.