Imam Abu Hanifa and the Atheists

Imam Abu Hanifa was once called to a debate with some freethinkers and atheists at a given time for this debate.

At about the time of the debate to start, the freethinkers were in the particular place before an assembly of people. Imam Abu Hanifa however, was no where to be seen. The attendees awaited him until they ere unable to stand or bear more and the freethinkers started to boast amongst themselves of their claims of rejecting the existence of Allah (Exalted and Dignified be He). They took from the absence of Imam Abu Hanifa from the agreed time, as a proof of his inability to prove what he claimed.

While the boasting of the atheists was about to reach its climax and the annoyance of the attendees from the late of the Imam was about to reach its peak, Imam Abu Hanifa arrived. Everyone questioned him about his being late and what happened.

So he started explaining how there was river that he had to cross…and he was waiting for a boat to come and bring him on the other side of the river. But for a while there was no boat there. While he was waiting, he suddenly saw  the branches and leaves of a tree fell and slowly formed themselves into a boat and came to him. He jumped in that boat crossed the river and came as soon as possible.

Obviously people laughed at this story and the freethinkers and the atheist asked him ‘Are you mad enough to believe that a boat was made all by itself and also want us to believe such a story?’

Imam Abu Hanifa replied ‘Who is more mad? the one who believed that a boat was created by itself, or you who believes that this well-knitted and marvelous world, with heaven, earth, Man and animal, created itself and its creation happened haphazardly without a creator and was created all by itself?’

Therefore, the freethinkers were unable to pronounce any word or give any answer.

Masha’Allah may Allah be pleased with Abu Hanifa