Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Hanbal Abu Abdullah al-Shaybani, also known as Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA), was born in Baghdad in the year 164 AH (781 CE). His father died when he was still a child, and he was raised by his mother. As he himself would later state in his life:
I never saw my father or grandfather. My mother raised me.
The life of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA)
Even as a child, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA) was very pious and sincere. Once, his uncle sent him to deliver a package containing information about certain men to the Caliph. After several days, when his uncle inquired about the package, Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA) said that he had thrown it into the water because it was impossible for him to act as an informant or spy.
After completing his basic studies, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA) received further instruction in Hadith from Qazi Abu Yusuf (RA), who was a student of Imam Abu Hanifa (RA). Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal was a versatile learner, and he even traveled to other parts of the world to acquire knowledge, such as Kufa, Basra, Mecca, Medina, and others.
Skill
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA) was taught by Imam al-Shafi’i (RA) himself. In fact, due to his learning ability, inherent intelligence, and sincerity, Imam Ahmad (RA) eventually united not only the Hanafi and Maliki schools of jurisprudence, but also those of Imam al-Shafi’i (RA).
Like his mentor Imam Al-Shafi’i (RA), Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA) was also proficient in the use of the Arabic language. Furthermore, he was also an expert in the exegesis (Tafsir) of the Quran.
Another notable quality of Imam Ahmad (RA) was his lack of interest in worldly affairs. Abu Dawud is reported to have said:
The sessions with Ahmad ibn Hanbal were sessions devoted to the afterlife, as he would never mention anything of this world.
Defending the truth
Human history is full of strange cases where people have distorted the truth in order to gain worldly favors such as land, power, prestige, or money. Yet, the Creator has always revealed the truth, and lies and false propaganda have ultimately perished.
During the lifetime of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA), a controversial propaganda campaign was launched concerning the Quran. A group of people, commonly known as the Mu’tazilites, with the support of the then Caliph al-Ma’mun, promoted the doctrine that the Quran, although the Word of Allah, is not a discourse but a « creation. » They were so misguided in their efforts that they sought out prominent scholars to testify to and endorse their propaganda, and those scholars who refused were punished.
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA) and another scholar named Muhammad ibn Nuh (RA) were the only two scholars in Baghdad to reject this falsification. Both were imprisoned, exiled, and punished, and the situation did not change even after the death of Caliph al-Ma’mun. In fact, it was only when Caliph al-Mutawakkil assumed power that the Mu’tazilites fell out of favor. Subsequently, Imam Ahmad (RA) and Muhammad ibn Nuh (RA) were released from prison.
Legacy
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA) passed away in the year 241 AH (855 CE). His funeral was a testament to his piety and his high standing among the people. He often said:
Tell the heretics: the decisive factor between us and you is the day of our funeral.
And this decisive factor was indeed a testament to the stature of his character. Nearly 1,300,000 people attended the funeral of this great imam, and feelings of love and respect were evident in the streets.
The comparative study methods and detailed Fiqh of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA) continue to serve as solid pillars of Islamic jurisprudence, even today. Furthermore, he remains an authoritative figure in Islamic studies due to his work in the field of prophetic tradition and other related areas.
Major Projects
- Usul as-Sunnah: « Foundations of the prophetic tradition (in belief) »
- Sunnah: « The tradition of the Prophet (in belief) »
- Kitab al-‘Ilal wa Ma’rifat ar-Rijal: “The book of narrations containing hidden defects and the knowledge of men (of Hadith)”
- Kitab al-Manasik: « The Book of Hajj Rites »
- Kitab al-Zuhd: “The Book of Abstinence”
- Kitab al-Iman: « The Book of Faith »
- Kitab al-Masa’il: « Problems of Fiqh »
- Kitab al-Ashribah: « The Book of Drinks »
- Kitab al-Fada’il Sahabah: « Virtues of the Companions »
- Kitab Tha’ah al-Rasul: « The Book of Obedience to the Messenger »
- Kitab Mansukh: « The Book of Abrogation »
- Kitab al-Fara’id: « The Book of Obligatory Duties »
- Kitab al-Radd ‘ala al-Zanadiqah wa’l-Jahmiyyah: “Refutations of the heretics and the Jahmites”
- Tafsir: « exegesis »