Question
Is it true that trustworthy scholars have reported that Abū Ḥanīfa is one of the Murjiʾa? And what is the meaning of the irjāʾ that the Imam was upon?
Answer
I say, and with God's success: Abu Hanifa and the scholars of Iraq were the Murji'ah of Ahl al-Sunnah; to distinguish themselves from the Mu'tazilah who say that the one who commits a major sin is in a position between the two positions, and the Khawarij who declare the one who commits a major sin as a disbeliever. However, Ahl al-Sunnah defer his matter to Allah, the Exalted; if He wills, He forgives him, and if He wills, He punishes him. Therefore, they are called the Murji'ah, and they differ from other sects of Murji'ah, some of which have reached the level of disbelief, such as those who say: sin does not harm with faith. And Allah knows best.