Kufa: Birthplace of Islamic Jurisprudence

Foundation

Kufa (الكوفة) was founded in 17 AH (638 CE) by the command of Umar ibn al-Khattab as a military garrison city (misr) in southern Iraq. It quickly grew into one of the most important cities in the early Islamic world, serving as the capital of Ali ibn Abi Talib during his caliphate (656-661 CE).

Scholarly Heritage

Kufa became the intellectual birthplace of the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. Imam Abu Hanifah lived, taught, and developed his legal methodology here. The Kufan school of law was known for its extensive use of ra'y (reasoned opinion) and qiyas (analogical reasoning), in contrast to the Madinan school's reliance on local practice.

Quranic Recitation

Kufa was a major center for Quranic recitation. The Kufic script, one of the earliest Arabic calligraphic styles used for writing the Quran, takes its name from the city. Several of the canonical reciters (qurra') were from Kufa, including Asim ibn Abi al-Najud, whose recitation transmitted through Hafs is the most widely used in the Muslim world today.

Companions in Kufa

Numerous Companions settled in Kufa, including Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (whom Umar sent as teacher and treasurer), Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (its first governor), and Hudhayfa ibn al-Yaman. Ibn Mas'ud's students formed the backbone of Kufan scholarship and his legal opinions profoundly influenced the Hanafi school.