Imam Ahmad on Boycotting the Khawarij
One of many examples of the Salaf’s clear position against extremists and renegades.
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Required Learning [What is a Muslim Required to Study?]
An explanation of the kind of Islamic knowledge that is required learning for every Muslim.
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Five Essential Qualities of a Mufti
Imam Ahmad on five qualities that should be present in a person to qualify him as a mufti.
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The Real People
It is reported that ‘Abdullāh b. Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal – Allāh have mercy on him – said: I asked my father, “Who are the [real] people?” He replied, “The [real] people are none but those who say ḥaddathanā and akhbaranā (those who report ḥadīth).” Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-‘Ilm article 3438.
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From the Beauty of Knowledge
It is reported that Imām Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal – Allāh have mercy on him – said: Al-Shāfi’ī saw me sitting in his circle, and there was some ink on my shirt I was trying to hide. He said, “Young man, why are you hiding it? Having ink on ones clothes is a sign of lofty […]
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The Humble Heretic
‘Alī b. Abī Khālid – Allāh have mercy on him – reports: I once said to Aḥmad, “This shaykh – referring to an older man who was with us – is my neighbor. I told him not to keep the company of a certain person, and he would like to hear what you have to […]
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Studying Manners
It is reported that Abū Bakr Al-Maṭū’ī said: I sat in the circle of Abū ‘Abdillāh Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal for twelve years while he read the Musnad to his children, and I never wrote a single ḥadīth, I only looked at his behavior, character and etiquette. Ibn Al-Jawzī, Manāqib Aḥmad, article 210. It is reported […]
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From the Manners of a Wife with her Husband
It is reported that the wife of Imām Sa’īd b. Al-Musayyib – Allāh have mercy on him – said: We only ever used to speak to our husbands like you address your commanders and leaders: [we would supplicate for them when talking to them] “May Allāh keep you right!”, “May Allāh keep you well!” Abū […]
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Knowledge on the Mind
It is reported that Imām Abū Dāwūd Al-Sijistānī – Allah have mercy on him – said: Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal never used to involve himself in the things of this world that people involved themselves in; but when knowledge was mentioned, he would speak. Ibn Al-Jawzī Ṣifatu Al-Ṣafwah 2:519. It is reported that Al-Ḥusayn b. Muḥammad […]
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Imam Ahmad on Rebelling against Rulers
Abul-Ḥārith Aḥmad b. Muḥammad Al-Ṣā`igh, the close and respected friend of Imām Aḥmad, reports: I asked Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imām Aḥmad) about something that had occurred in Baghdād, and [because of which] some people were considering revolting [against the ruler]. I said, “O Abū ‘Abdillāh, what do you say about taking part in the revolt with […]