*Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal – Part 2*


There are five principles of Imam Ahmad’s jurisprudential school:  

1. When a text (Qur’an and Sunnah) exists on an issue, no opposition should be heeded.  

2. Act upon whatever the Companions gave a fatwa on.  

3. If there is a difference in the sayings of the Companions, then take the opinion that is closer to the Qur’an and Sunnah.  

4. If no other evidence opposes an issue, then every mursal and da‘if hadith can be acted upon.  

5. Qiyas [analogical reasoning] is also an authority in Shari‘ah as needed.  


An important thing in Imam Ahmad’s jurisprudential school is _Istishab_. It means to maintain something based on its previous state until some evidence proves a change in it.


Imam Ahmad did not consider it appropriate to compile and organize his fiqh and fatwas. Instead, he spent all his time and effort on compiling the _Musnad_. Therefore, his rulings and judgments are found in relatively fewer numbers.


*Character and Habits* — Imam Ahmad was a person of extreme piety, humility, and asceticism. Imam Shafi‘i said about him: “In Baghdad I did not find anyone more knowledgeable, more ascetic, more pious, and more God-fearing than Ahmad bin Hanbal.”  


Imam Ahmad was self-respecting and honorable. He neither accepted gifts from rulers nor extended his hand before anyone. His son, Abdullah, states that my father used to make this supplication after every prayer: “O Allah, just as You have saved my face from bowing before others, likewise protect me from begging.”  


Imam Ahmad was a hafiz of the Qur’an and Sunnah and was extremely adherent to the Sunnah. He had great love for the Sunnah of the Messenger. Therefore, Qanba said: “Understand that whoever loves Ahmad bin Hanbal is a person of the Sunnah.”  


The Imam was distinguished in patience and reliance on Allah. Speaking the truth and courage with frankness was his way.  


During the time of the Abbasid Caliph Ma’mun al-Rashid, the fitnah of _Khalq al-Qur’an_ [createdness of the Qur’an] arose. The Caliph himself and later his son Mu‘tasim fell prey to it. He tried to make the scholars also agree to the statement that the Qur’an is a creation of Allah. Behind this meaningless debate was the rationalist group Al-Mu‘tazila, especially the judge Ahmad bin Abi Du’ad.  


The Caliph of the time compelled Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal to say that the Qur’an is created, but Imam Ahmad clearly refused and said: “The Qur’an is the Speech of Allah, not created.” For this, he was beaten, imprisoned, and given punishments that make one’s hair stand on end. But Imam Ahmad did not yield to the ruler’s pressure.  


The Imam continued the chain of teaching and instruction even in prison. He endured severe hardship in prison for 30 months and bore it with patience and reliance on Allah. The ruler was also fearful seeing Imam Ahmad’s patience, forbearance, and greatness.  


When the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil became Caliph, he released Imam Ahmad from this trial, honored and respected him, and closed the door of this fitnah.  


The hardship of imprisonment had made Imam Ahmad ill. His popularity was such that there was a crowd of visitors. Finally, on Friday, 12 Rabi‘ al-Awwal 241 AH, he passed away in Baghdad. The whole of Baghdad gathered for his funeral prayer. It is said that 600,000 people participated in his funeral prayer.  


Hasan bin Rawi said: “All Muslims owe a great debt to Imam Ahmad, and it is the right of the Imam that every Muslim pray for his forgiveness.”  


Ali bin Madini, the teacher of Imam Bukhari, said: “Allah elevated the religion of Islam through two men: 1) Through Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) at the time when people were apostatizing after the death of the Messenger. Second, through Ahmad bin Hanbal when the issue of the createdness of the Qur’an arose.”  


Among his works, the following books are mentioned:  

1. _Kitab al-Zuhd_  

2. _Kitab an-Nasikh wal-Mansukh_  

3. _Kitab al-Manasik al-Kabir_  

4. _Kitab al-Manasik_  

5. _Kitab Hadith Shu‘ba_  

6. _Kitab Fada’il al-Sahaba_  

7. _Manaqib-e-Siddiq-e-Akbar wa Hasanain_  

8. _Kitab al-Sharba_  

9. _Tarikh_  

10. _Tafsir_  

11. _Al-Musnad_

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