Among those we have actually located is Isam ibn Yusuf, Abu Isma al-Balkhi—a disciple of Abu Yusuf, may Allah have mercy on him, who died in 215 A.H. The Hanafi biographical works record that he raised his hands when bowing and when rising from bowing. Al-‘Allama Abu al-Hasanat al-Laknawi remarks on this in his book al-Fawaid al-Bahiyyah: “It follows that the report attributed to Abu Hanifah, transmitted by Makhul, which says: ‘Whoever raises his hands in prayer, his prayer is nullified’—a report that deceived Amir Katib al-Itqani—is invalid. Isam ibn Yusuf was constantly in the company of Abu Yusuf and he raised his hands; had that report possessed any basis, Abu Yusuf and Isam would certainly have known of it.” He then says: “It is also clear that if a Hanafi abandons his Imam’s position in a given issue because the opposing proof is stronger, he does not thereby leave the bond of taqlid; rather, this is taqlid itself in the guise of abandoning taqlid…” and so on. We have quoted his comments in full in the Introduction (p. 36); see there. As for the later scholars, they are many—praise be to Allah—especially the Hanafis of India, for they—may Allah bless them—are today the Muslims most knowledgeable of and most committed to the Sunnah, and the least partisan to the school except where it accords with the truth. Among them are: Abu al-Hasan al-Sindi (his words were cited above), Shah Wali Allah al-Dihlawi in Hujjat Allah al-Balighah (2/10), Abu al-Hasanat al-Laknawi in al-Ta‘liq al-Mumajjad ‘ala Muwatta Muhammad (pp. 89–91), and Shaykh Muhammad Anwar al-Kashmiri in Fayd al-Bari (2/257). Were it not for fear of prolixity I would have reproduced their statements in full; I have instead pointed to them and to the places where they may be found, for whoever wishes to consult them. I also say that no century has passed without there being many Hanafis who have practiced