Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal – AbdurRahman.Org

What the Salaf Said Regarding Theological Rhetoric (ilm al Kalaam)

by AbdurRahman.orgAugust 12, 2016October 22, 2026

Text from Usool as Sunnah (Foundations of Sunnah)

19.For indeed, (indulging in) theological rhetoric (kalaam) in [22] the matter of Qadar, the Ru’yah, the Qur’aan and other such issues are among the ways that are detested and which are forbidden.

20. The one Who does so, even if he reaches the truth with his words, is not from Ahlus-Sunnah, until he abandons (using) this mode of argumentation, [and until he] submits and believes in the aathaar (the Prophetic Narrations and those of the Companions [23]

Footnotes:

[22] Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee (d. 204H) said,

“My ruling regarding the people of theological rhetoric is that they should be beaten with palm leaves and shoes and be paraded amongst the kinsfolk and the tribes with it being announced, ‘This is the reward of the one who abandons the Book and the Sunnah and turns to theological rhetoric (kalaam).”

Sharh ‘AqeedatitTahaawiyyah of lbn Abil-’Izz, p. 75.

O Abu ‘Abdullah! Are you groaning?

by AbdurRahman.orgNovember 23, 2014November 23, 2014

There are also some Angels who write down the deeds of human beings.

“But verily, over you (are appointed Angels in charge of mankind) to watch you, honorable, writing down (your deeds), they know all that you do” (Al-Infitar 82:10-12)

“Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it)” (Qaf 50: 18)

One of the companions of Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy upon him, visited him while he was sick. He found him groaning from the sickness. He said:

“O Abu ‘Abdullah! Are you groaning? Tawus said ‘Indeed, the Angels write down everything, even the groan of a sick person, because Allah says:

Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it(Qaf 50: 18)”‘

Therefore, Abu ‘Abdullah began to have (more) patience, and he stopped groaning,[1] because everything is written down. “Not a word does he (or she) utter? – Meaning any word uttered by you is written. However, you might be rewarded or punished for it. This is based on the saying that was said.

[1] For what was reported by Salih bin Al-Imam Ahmad, he said: “During his sickness prior to death, my father said: ‘Take out the book of ‘Abdullah bin Idris.’ then said: ‘Read to me the narration of Laith that Tawus used to dislike groaning during sickness.’ After that I did not hear to my father a groan till he died.” Siyar A’lam An-Nubula (11:215).

Source : Al-’Aqidah Al-Wasitiyyah (2 Vol. Set) – Author: Muhammad bin Salih Al-’Uthaimin – Publisher: Darussalam Publishers & Distributors

Foundations of the Sunnah (Usool-us-Sunnah) – Imam Ahmad – English Text

by AbdurRahman.orgSeptember 22, 2014October 13, 2014

Click the below link to read the document

Foundation of Sunnah – Imam Ahmad [PDF]

Developing Humility in Prayer – Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal

by AbdurRahman.orgJanuary 18, 2014October 22, 2026

You should know – may Allah have mercy upon you – that when the slave [of Allah] leaves his house to go to the mosque, that he is going to face Allah, the Irresistible, the One, the Omnipotent, the Exalted in Might, the Oft-forgiving, in the knowledge that nothing is hidden from Allah, wherever it might be, and that nothing is hidden from Allah and that even something as small as a mustard seed is not concealed from Him, nor even something smaller, nor larger – in the seven earths or the seven heavens, in the seven seas or the lofty mountains, fixed and firm. And verily, the mosque to which he comes is one of the Houses of Allah. He desires only Allah and he sets out to one of Allah’s Houses, which:

In houses (mosques), which Allah has ordered to be raised (to be cleaned, and to be honored), in them His Name is glorified in the mornings and in the afternoons or the evenings, Men whom neither trade nor sale diverts them from the Remembrance of Allah (with heart and tongue), nor from performing As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), nor from giving the Zakat. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (from the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection). [Qur’an 24:36-37, Muhsin Khan Translation]

Clarity – Defending the Religion & Uniting the Ranks upon the Truth

by AbdurRahman.orgJanuary 15, 2014October 22, 2026

Istiqaamah Magazine , Issue No.2 ,1996

DEFENDING THE RELIGION

Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal (d.241H)- rahimahullaah – said:

“All praise is for Allaah who, in every age and intervals between the Prophets, raises up a group from the People of Knowledge, who call the misguided to guidance, patiently bearing ill treatment and harm. With the Book of Allaah they give life to the dead, and by Allaah’s Light they give sight to the blind. How many a person killed by Iblees (the Devil) have they revived. How many people astray and wandering have they guided. How beautiful their effect has been upon the people, and how vile people have been towards them. They expel from the Book of Allaah the alterations of those going beyond bounds, the false claims of the liars and the false interpretations of the ignorant ones – those who uphold die banner of innovation and let loose the trials and discords; who differ about the Book, oppose the Book, and agree upon opposing the Book. They speak about Allaah and His Book without knowledge, argue about what is ambiguous in the Book, and deceive the ignorant masses with such ambiguities. We seek refuge in Allaah from the trials of the misguided ones.” 1

Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) – rahimahullaah – said:

“When some people asked Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal that they felt uneasy about criticizing people, he replied: “If I were to remain silent, how would the ignorant masses know the truth from falsehood?” Those who introduce heretical writings which oppose the Qur’aan and the Sunnah and those who innovate in matters of worship, then it is obligatory that they be exposed and that the Muslims be warned against them – by unanimous agreement of the Muslims Scholars. In fact, when Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal was asked about a person who fasted, preyed and secluded himself in the mosque for worship; if he was dearer to him than a person who spoke out against ahlul-bid’ah (the innovators), he replied: “When he fasts and prays and secludes himself, then he does so for the benefit of his own self. However, when he speaks out against the innovators, he does so for the benefit of the Muslims in general, and this is more virtuous.”

Imam Ahmad A Good Example Of Implementing The Sunnah Over Desires – Shaikh Jamaal Al-Haarithee

by AbdurRahman.orgMay 22, 2011June 1, 2016

Bismillaah Al-Hamdulillaah wa salatu wa salamu ‘ala Rasool Allaah

The following is from Shaikh Jamaal Al-Haarithee from his comments on Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan’s Beneficial Answers to Questions on Innovated Methodologies (hafidhahumullaah):

It is reported in the book as-Sunnah of Ibn Abee ‘Aasim (2/351), al-Mustadrak of Al-Haakim (3/290) and the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad (3/404) from the narration of ‘Iyyaad bin Ghanam that the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alaihiwasallam) said:

“Whoever has some advice for the leader should not speak it out in public. Rather, he should take his hand and sit with him in privacy. So if he [the ruler] accepts it, then he accepts it, and if he doesn’t, then he [the advisor] has performed what is required of him and what is for him.”

The wording of this hadeeth is from Al-Haakim, and it is a sound hadeeth.

Look at the example of the Imaam of Ahlus Sunnah, Ahmad ibn Hanbal (rahimahullaah). He was beaten with a whip, dragged on the floor, and imprisoned due to the [the deviants’ claim] of the Qur`an being created. But in spite of this, he would refer to him [the ruler] as the “Commander of the Believers” and tell the people: “Do not rebel (against the leader); be patient.” Don’t we have a good example in our righteous predecessors? Or is it that we are more knowledgeable and braver than them?!

Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (rahimahullaah) said in his book Jaami’ul-‘Uloom wal Hikam (pg. 113):

“Sincere Advice to the Muslim leaders means cooperating with them upon the truth, obeying them, reminding them, cautioning them with gentleness and ease, preventing an uprise against them, and supplicating for them to be guided.”

Imaam Ash-Shawkaanee said in his book Raf’-ul-Asaateen fee Hukm-il-Ittisaal bis-Salaateen (pg. 81-82):

“It is well established in the Mighty Book (Qur`an) that we are commanded to obey the ruler. Allaah put obeying the rulers after obeying Him and obeying the Messenger (salallaahu ‘alaihiwasallam). There are many ahaadeeth in the purified Sunnah, i.e. the main collections, and other books that state that it is obligatory to obey them [the rulers] and to be patient with their oppression. One of the ahaadeeth in which the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihiwasallam) commanded us to obey them [the rulers] consists of the words: ‘…even if he beats your back and takes your money.’ It is also authentically reported on him (salallaahu ‘alaihiwasallam) that he said: ‘Give them what they are entitled to (of rights), and ask Allaah for what you are entitled to (of rights).‘”

Note: From the comments that follow the 31st question and answer in Beneficial Answers to Questions on Innovated Methodologies.