Ahmad ibn Hanbal (رحمه الله)

Date of Birth and Death

• Born: 780 CE (164 AH) in Baghdad, Iraq
• Died: 855 CE (241 AH) in Baghdad, Iraq​ 

Origin and Early Life

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, whose full name was Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal Abu `Abd Allah al-Shaybani, was born in Baghdad to Arab parents. His father died when he was young, and he was raised by his mother. From an early age, he was deeply committed to acquiring knowledge, particularly in the fields of Hadith and Islamic jurisprudence​ 

Education and Teachers

Imam Ahmad studied under several prominent scholars. He traveled extensively in pursuit of knowledge, visiting places such as Kufa, Basra, Mecca, Medina, Yemen, and Syria. Some of his notable teachers included:

• Imam ash-Shafi’i: From whom he learned Islamic Fiqh
• Hushaym ibn Bashir
• Sufyan ibn Uyayna
• Abd Allah ibn al-Mubarak
• Abd al-Razzaq al-Sana’ani
• Abu Thawr
• Ishaq ibn Rahuyah​ 

Expertise and Works

Imam Ahmad was renowned for his expertise in Hadith and Fiqh. His most significant work is the “Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal”, an extensive collection of Hadith comprising over 30,000 narrations. Other important works include:

• Kitab al-Salah (The Book of Prayer)
• Kitab al-Sunnah (The Book of the Sunnah), which deals with issues of Islamic creed and jurisprudence​ 

Famous For

 Imam Ahmad is best known as the founder of the Hanbali school of Islamic jurisprudence, the most strictly traditionalist of the four Sunni schools. He is also celebrated for his steadfastness during the Mihna (Inquisition), a period when he was persecuted for refusing to endorse the Mu’tazilite doctrine that the Quran was created. His unwavering commitment to the belief that the Quran is the uncreated word of Allah earned him great respect and solidified his influence in Islamic history​ 

Character and Piety

Imam Ahmad was known for his piety, humility, and ascetic lifestyle. He lived a life of simplicity, often working as a copyist to support himself. Despite his poverty, he was generous and deeply committed to his principles. His contemporaries and later scholars praised his knowledge, integrity, and steadfastness. Imam Ahmad’s devotion to the Sunnah and his resistance to political pressures made him a revered figure in Islamic history​

Books and Teachings

Imam Ahmad’s teachings and his “Musnad” continue to be studied extensively in Islamic universities and seminaries worldwide. His influence extends beyond the Hanbali school, impacting various aspects of Islamic thought and jurisprudence. His steadfastness in the face of persecution is particularly remembered as a defining moment in the defense of orthodox Islamic beliefs​

Imam Ahmad’s legacy as a scholar and jurist remains influential, and his works are revered and studied by Muslims around the world. His contributions to Islamic law and his dedication to the authenticity of Hadith have made a lasting impact on the Muslim Ummah.