Is trading disliked for a judge according to Abu Hanifa?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Judiciary
Primary text
It is narrated that Abu Hanifa holds that trade and appointing an agent known to be his representative is not disliked for the judge, based on the precedent of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq.
Supporting text
The opposing view holds that the action is disliked unless necessitated by dire need, citing the reported condition set by 'Umar upon appointing Sharih as judge: 'not to buy, nor sell, nor accept bribes, nor judge while angry.' Furthermore, the incident of Abu Bakr confirms this consensus, as the Companions objected to his trading until he was provided for, leading to an agreement among them that trade must be abandoned when one is independent of it.