Ahmed ibn Hanbal : Ahmed ibn Hanbal New to Islam June 2011/ Rajab 1432
Early life and studies : Early life and studies Born in Baghdad 164H (780 CE)
Studied under three of Abu Hanifa’s students
Studied under al-Shâfi’ in 195H
Memorised a million hadîth from 114 scholars
Al-Bukhâri and Abu Dawûd both related hadîth from him
His patience under tribulation : His patience under tribulation He was imprisoned by Ma’mun for refusing to say the Quran was created
He was publically flogged on the orders of al-Mutasim
He was eventually released by al-Mutawakil who pardoned him and offered him money as compensation which the Imam refused
His later years and death : His later years and death He continued studying till his death, saying ‘knowledge knows no final word’ and ‘knowledge is like drinking from the ocean – it will only make you more thirsty.’
He performed hajj five times, three of them on foot from Baghdad and one with only 30 dirhams (equivalent to £69 today)
He died in 241H (30 July 855 CE)
His funeral was attended by 1.3 million people
Sources in the Hanbali madhab : Sources in the Hanbali madhab The Quran
The hadîth
The opinions of the Companions
Consensus
Analogy
Other sources including general communal benefit and blocking of harm
Lessons to be learned : Lessons to be learned Steadfastness under tribulation
Concern about hadîth
Not being deluded about worldly pleasures and benefits (al-zuhd)
Slide 7 : May Allah benefit us by our Imams and leaders and allow us to learn the lessons from their lives and teachings
Amin