Imam Abu Yusuf’s (Rahimahullah) last moments

Ibraaheem Ibn Jarraah says : “I came to visit Imam Abu Yusuf during his final illness. He was unconscious but he opened his eyes and looked at me.

He then asked : “O Ibraaheem, is it better for a person performing Haj to stone the Jamaraat while on foot or on a conveyance?”
I replied : “On foot.”
He answered : “That is incorrect.”
I then replied : “On a conveyance.”
Again he replied : “That is incorrect.”

He then proceeded to give the correct answer himself : “If after pelting one stands to make dua, then it would be better to be on foot. But, if after pelting one does not remain to make dua, then it would be better to be on a conveyance.”

I rose to leave, but I had not even reached the door of his home when I heard the women of the household cry that he had passed away. Had there been anything more beloved to him than discussing the knowledge of Islam he would surely have engaged in it at this critical time as this was a time of distress and sadness.” (Al-Bahr ur-Raaiq, Fathul Qadeer)

Lesson:
Imaam Abu Yusuf Rahimahullah was one of those illustrious scholars who sacrificed his entire life in the service of Islam. Imaam Abu Yusuf, together with his teacher Imaam Abu Hanifa Rahimahullah and others like Imaam Muhammad and Imaam Zufar Rahimahumullah carefully applied their minds to the study of the Quraan and Sunnah in order to extract the rules and regulations governing all the aspects of Muslim life. They would spend hours, days, weeks and even months debating and discussing intricate matters of fiqh (jurisprudence) in order to codify the Hanafi mazhab. The other Imaams of Fiqh like Imaam Shaafi, Imaan Maalik and Imaam Ahmed Rahimahumullah were also great men of piety, sincerity and knowledge. It is through their sacrifice and efforts that we are fortunate enough to have a simplified system of law which we can follow with regards to Salaah, Zakaah, Haj, Sawm, Islamic finance, etc. May Allah Ta’ala reward all the Imaams of Fiqh for their efforts and fill their graves with noor. Aaameen!