d--------- One Hundred Stories Of Imaam Abu Hanifah --------- d
78th Story
The Challenge of the Roman Emperor
The Roman Emperor once sent his chief advisor to the Khalifah Mansoor to ask the Ulama of the Muslims three questions. If they provided satisfactory answers to these three questions then all is well but if they are unable to answer them then the former lands of the Romans will no longer be taxed. Khalifah Mansoor accepted the challenge and gathered all the Ulama in his court, amongst whom was Imaam Abu Hanifah . The roman advisor sat upon the Mimbar (pulpit) and raised his questions and various Ulama answered him but a satisfactory reply was not given until Imaam Abu Hanifah spoke. Imaam Abu Hanifah first said, "You are asking the question and I am giving the answer and it is not befitting for the questioner to be sitting on the Mimbar (pulpit)." The Khalifah acknowledged that this was correct and the roman advisor stepped down and Imaam Abu Hanifah ascended the Mimbar.
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