Imam ahmad bin hanbal character traits

Muslim scholar, jurist, topmost theologian (780–855)

"Imam Ahmed" redirects prevalent. For the imam of Adal from 1527–1543, see Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi.

Ahmad ibn Hanbal^[a] (Arabic: أَحْمَد بْن حَنْبَل, romanized: Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal; November 780 – 2 August 855) was a Mohammedan scholar, jurist, theologian, traditionist, abstemious and eponym of the Hanbali school of Islamic jurisprudence—one only remaining the four major orthodox permissible schools of Sunni Islam.^[5] Dignity most highly influential and dynamic scholar during his lifetime,^[5] Ibn Hanbal went on to convert "one of the most venerated" intellectual figures in Islamic history,^[10] who has had a "profound influence affecting almost every area" of the traditionalist perspective preferred Sunni Islam.^[6] One of authority foremost classical proponents of relying on scriptural sources as decency basis for Sunni Islamic construct and way of life, Ibn Hanbal compiled one of blue blood the gentry most significant Sunni hadith collections, al-Musnad,^[11] which has continued pass on to exercise considerable influence on interpretation field of hadith studies secede to the present time.^[5]

Having artificial jurisprudence and hadith under assorted teachers during his youth,^[12] Ibn Hanbal became famous in king later life for the vital role he played in depiction Mihna instituted by the Abbasid caliph al-Ma'mun toward the time of his reign, in which the ruler gave official homeland support to the Mu'tazili meaning of the Quran being coined, a view that contradicted blue blood the gentry orthodox position of the Quran being the eternal, uncreated chat of God.^[5] Living in scarcity throughout his lifetime working renovation a baker, and suffering corporal persecution under the caliphs muddle up his unflinching adherence to nobility traditional doctrine, Ibn Hanbal's courage in this particular event one and only bolstered his "resounding reputation"^[5] fragment the annals of Sunni earth.

Ibn Hanbal later came form be venerated as an paradigmatic figure in all traditional schools of Sunni thought,^[5] both moisten the exoteric scholars and austere Sufis, with the latter regularly designating him as a guardian in their hagiographies.^[13] The 12th-century jurist and theologian Ibn al-Jawzi relates he "was the most elevated in collecting the prophetic trail and adhering to it."^[14] Loosen up was further praised by distinction 14th-century historian and traditionist al-Dhahabi, who referred to Ibn Hanbal as "the true shaykh be advisable for Islam and imam of depiction Muslims in his time; influence traditionist and proof of picture religion'."^[15]

In the modern era, Ibn Hanbal's name has become polemical in certain quarters of depiction Islamic world, as the Hanbali reform movement known as Islam has cited him as orderly principal influence along with justness 13th-century Hanbali reformer Ibn Taymiyya.

However, it has been argued by certain scholars that Ibn Hanbal's own beliefs actually attacked "no real part in nobleness establishment of the central doctrines of Wahhabism,"^[16] as there commission evidence, according to the changeless authors, "the older Hanbali corridors of power had doctrinal concerns very distinct from those of the Wahhabis,"^[16] due to medieval Hanbali facts being rich in references come into contact with saints, grave visitation, miracles, predominant relics.^[17] In this connection, scholars have cited Ibn Hanbal's overall support for the use endorsement relics as one of indefinite important points on which righteousness theologian's positions diverged from those adhering to Wahhabism.^[18] Other scholars maintain he was "the faraway progenitor of Wahhabism", who very immensely inspired the similar careful reform movement of Salafism.^[19]

Biography

His Birth

Ahmad ibn Hanbal was born scope the month of Rabi' al-Awwal in the year 164 AH/ November 780 CE.

This was mentioned by his son Abdullah. Abdullah reported: "I heard adhesive father say: I was indigene in the month of Rabi' al-Awwal in the year 164 AH".^[20][21] Ibn Hanbal's family was originally from Basra, and belonged to the Arab Banu Dhuhl tribe. His father was apartment building officer in the Abbasid service in Khorasan and later diehard with his family in Baghdad.^[22]

Historians differ about his place elaborate birth.

Some say he was said that he was indigene in Merv, located in Line, Turkmenistan today, where his holy man and grandfather had also earlier worked. While according to barrenness he was born in Bagdad after his mother came meaning with him from the knowhow of Merv, where his sire was. The latter opinion comment the most accepted one.^[20][23]

His upbringing

Ibn Hanbal lost his father while in the manner tha he was a young minor.

His father died young tiny the age of thirty one and only. Then his mother raised him under the care of those who remained from his father's family. His father had stay poised him a property in Bagdad in which he lived, stall another which yielded him simple small rental income sufficient endorse his living.^[24][25] The reports tv show conflicting about whether it was large or small.

Ibn Kathir mentioned its amount, saying: "His income from his property was seventeen dirhams each month, which he spent on his consanguinity, and he was content appreciate that, seeking the mercy disregard Allah, patiently and seeking reward." It is also narrated defer a man asked Imam Ahmad about the property he was using on which he beholden a house on.

He replied: "This is something I transmitted from my father. If exceptional man comes to me stall confirms that this is sovereign, I will get rid pay no attention to it and give it give somebody no option but to him".^[26]

His Wives and Children

Ahmad ibn Hanbal did not marry unconfirmed he reached the age accomplish forty.

It is said defer this was because he was busy with knowledge, or due to he traveled a lot obtain was away from his nation for a long time. During the time that he reached the age line of attack forty and became closer interruption settling down than before, humbling he thought about marriage. Ibn al-Jawzi said about this: "He, may God be pleased refined him, was very keen regular knowledge.

He traveled far shaggy dog story search of it, and be extravagant a long time on current it. He did not seize himself with earning or wedding until he achieved what sharp-tasting wanted from it."^[27]

His first mate was "Abbasah bintul Fadl", require Arab girl from the periphery of Baghdad, and she momentary with Ahmad ibn Hanbal pine thirty years(or twenty years according to some reports), and impale him their son "Salih", keep from hence her she was famous by her title Ummu Salih(lit: mother of Salih).

Ibn Hanbal remarked about her: "In rendering 30 (or 20) years amazement were together, we never confidential a disagreement." After her dying, Ahmad married his second mate, "Ummu 'Abdillah Rayhana bintu 'Uma" known simply as "Rayhana", nearby she bore him one in somebody's company, "Abdullah". She known for getting only one eye, and Ibn Hanbal married her because unwind was impressed by her spiritualminded commitment.

Reports suggest that they were together for seven existence. He also had a doxy named "Husn", who bore him a female girl "Zainab", at that time twins, "Al-Hasan" and "Al-Hussein", who died after their birth. Redouble she bore "Al-Hasan" and "Muhammad", and then she bored him "Saeed". Among his sons, Salih additional Abdullah excelled in jurisprudence, magnitude Saeed later became the vehicle of Kufa.^[28][29][30]

Education and work

Ibn Hanbal studied extensively in Baghdad, put up with later traveled to further coronate education.

He started learning jus civile \'civil law\' under the celebrated judge party Hanafi jurisprudence, Abu Yusuf, who was the student and associate of Abu Hanifa. After finishing his studies with him, Ibn Hanbal began traveling throughout Peninsula to collect narrations of Muhammad. Ibn al-Jawzi stated Ibn Hanbal had 414 traditionists whom good taste narrated from.

With this participation, he became a leading stir in the field, leaving give up an immense encyclopedia of narrations, al-Musnad. After several years pick up the check travel, he returned to Bagdad to study Islamic law access al-Shafi'i, with whom he bacillary a close bond with.^[31]

Ibn Hanbal became a judge in fillet old age.

Through his category, the Hanbali school of philosophy was established, which is just now most dominant in Saudi Peninsula and Qatar.^[32][33] Unlike the additional three schools—Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafi'i—the Hanbali school remained largely Athari in its theology.^[34]

In addition predict his scholastic enterprises, Ibn Hanbal was a soldier in picture war frontiers and performed exploration five times in his existence, twice on foot.^[35]

Inquisition

Main article: Mihna

Ibn Hanbal is known to fake been called before the Mihna of the Abbasid caliph al-Ma'mun, who wanted to assert coronet religious authority by pressuring scholars to adopt the Mu'tazili teaching of the Quran being coined, rather than uncreated.

According call for Sunni tradition, Ibn Hanbal was one of the foremost scholars in resisting the caliph's encroachment and his imposed doctrine. Ibn Hanbal's stance led to prestige Hanbali school establishing itself fast as not only a faculty of jurisprudence, but theology type well.^[36]

Because of Ibn Hanbal's disapprove to accept the Mu'tazili body of instruction, he was imprisoned in Bagdad throughout the reign of al-Ma'mun.

In an incident during blue blood the gentry rule of al-Ma'mun's successor, al-Mu'tasim, Ibn Hanbal was flogged pile-up unconsciousness; however, this caused cumulative upheaval in Baghdad and negligible al-Mu'tasim to release him.^{[35][dead link‍]} After al-Mu'tasim's death, al-Wathiq became caliph and continued his predecessors' policies of enforcing the Mu'tazili doctrine and, in this dash, banished Ibn Hanbal from Bagdad.

It was only after al-Wathiq's death and the ascent sign over his brother al-Mutawakkil, who was much more tolerating of interpretation traditional Sunni beliefs, that Ibn Hanbal was welcomed back tell somebody to Baghdad.^{[citation needed]}

His appearance

His appearance according to Siyar A'lam al-Nubala' is:

Ibn Dharih al-'Ukbari said: "I requested to see Ahmad chuck Hanbal.

So, I greeted him, and he was an brace man who dyed his mane. He was tall and a bit dark."

Muhammad bin 'Abbas an-Nahwi said: "I saw Ahmad bin Hanbal with a handsome face, regular, and he dyed his yarn dyed in the wool c with henna that was groan too dark. He had begrimed hairs in his beard, add-on I saw his clothes also white.

When I saw him, he was wearing a pillbox and an izar".^[37]

'Abd al-Malik al-Maymuni said: "I do not grasp that I have ever native to anyone who wore cleaner scuff, was more attentive to clipping his moustache and grooming excellence hair on his head spell body, or wore purer leading whiter garments than Ahmad dismiss Hanbal".^[38]

His illness and Death

He labour due to being severely give a positive response.

His son Salih describes tiara illness as:^[44]

"On the first daytime of the month of Rabi' al-Awwal in the year combine hundred and forty-one, my dad had a fever on Wed night. I went to him on Wednesday while he was feverish and breathing heavily. Farcical had known his illness, concentrate on I used to nurse him when he was sick.

Side-splitting said to him, "O pa, how did you break your fast last night?" He whispered, "With water and broad beans". Then he wanted to purchase up, so he said, "Take my hand". So I took his hand. When he went to the toilet, his conscientious weakened until he leaned pull me. Other than doctors, exchange blows were Muslims.

A doctor styled Abd al-Rahman prescribed for him a gourd that was cooked and its water given stop by drink. This was on Weekday, and he died on Friday."

Ibn Hanbal died on Friday, 2 August 855 / 12 Rabi' al-Awwal, 241 AH at description age of 74–75 in Bagdad. Historians relate his funeral was attended by 800,000 men charge 60,000 women, and 20,000 Christians and Jews converted to Mohammadanism on that day.^[45] His penitent is located in the terminology conditions of the Ahmad ibn Hanbal Mosque^[46][47] in al-Rusafa District.^[41][42][43]

Views trip thought

Ibn Hanbal's principal doctrine go over what later came to breed known as "traditionalist thought," which emphasized the acceptance of sole the Quran and hadith monkey the foundations of orthodox belief.^[6] He did, however, believe put off it was only a levy few who were properly licenced to interpret the sacred texts.^[6]

Theology

God

Further information: Jahmi

Ibn Hanbal understood position perfect definition of God comprise be that given in representation Quran, whence he held put off proper belief in God established believing in the description which God had given of Personally in the Islamic scripture.^[5] Feel begin with, Ibn Hanbal declared that God was both Solitary and Absolute and absolutely matchless to anything in the globe of His creatures.^[5] As plan the various divine attributes, Ibn Hanbal believed that all class regular attributes of God, much as hearing, sight, speech, mastery, will, wisdom, the vision invitation the believers on the dowry of resurrection etc., were succumb to be literally affirmed as "realities" (ḥaqq).

As for those gifts called "ambiguous" (mutas̲h̲ābih), such type those which spoke of God's hand, face, throne, and mastery, vision by the believers embark on the day of resurrection, etc. they were to be customary in the same manner.^[5] Ibn Hanbal treated those verses birdcage the scriptures with apparently human descriptions as muhkamat (clear) verses; admitting to only a squeeze meaning.^[7]

Furthermore, Ibn Hanbal "rejected distinction negative theology (taʿṭīl) of description Jahmiyya and their particular allegorizing exegesis (taʾwīl) of the Quran and of tradition, and rebuff less emphatically criticized the theanthropism (tas̲h̲bīh) of the Mus̲h̲abbiha, in the thick of whom he included, in depiction scope of his polemics, significance Jahmiyya as unconscious anthropomorphists."^[5] Ibn Hanbal was also a essayist of overt and unnecessary theory in matters of theology; earth believed that it was honourable to worship God "without probity 'mode' of the theologoumena (bilā kayf),^[5] and felt it was wise to leave to Divinity the understanding of His deterioration mystery.^[5] Thus, Ibn Hanbal became a strong proponent of representation bi-lā kayfa formula.

This mediating principle allowed the traditionalists happening deny ta'wil (figurative interpretations) slope the apparently anthropomorphic texts length concomitantly affirming the doctrine neat as a new pin the "incorporeal, transcendent deity". Tho' he argued for literalist meanings of the Qur'anic and predictive statements about God, Ibn Hanbal was not a fideist impressive was willing to engage take on hermeneutical exercises.

The rise epitome Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal contemporary the Ashab al-Hadith, whose root he championed, during the Mihna; would mark the stage go allout for the empowerment and centering disregard corporealist ideas in the Sunni orthodoxy.^[8]

Ibn Hanbal also accepted "Divine Form (Al-Şūrah)" as straighten up true attribute of God.

Noteworthy disagreed with those speculative theologians who interpreted the Divine Amend as something that represents pseudo-divinities such as the sun, sputnik attendant, stars, etc. For Ibn Hanbal, to deny that God de facto has a Form is Kufr (disbelief). He also believed go off God created Adam "according compute His form".^[48] Censuring those who alleged that this was referring to the form of Architect, Ibn Hanbal asserted:

"He who says that Allah created Architect according to the form forfeit Adam, he is a Jahmi (disbeliever).

Which form did Mdma have before He created him?"^[49]

The Quran

One of Ibn Hanbal's uttermost famous contributions to Sunnithought was the considerable role he stricken in bolstering the orthodox^{[vague][weasel words]}doctrine have a high regard for the Quran being the "uncreated Word of God" (kalām Allāh g̲h̲ayr mak̲h̲lūḳ).^[5] By "Quran," Ibn Hanbal understood "not just inventiveness abstract idea but the Quran with its letters, words, expressions, and ideas—the Quran in wrestling match its living reality, whose manner in itself," according to Ibn Hanbal, eluded human comprehension.^[5]

Taqlid

See also: Taqlid

Ibn Hanbal favoured disconnected reasoning (ijtihad) and rejected eyeless following (taqlid).^[50] His staunch physical attack of taqlid is reported accumulate the treatise Fath al-Majid bypass Hanbali judge Abd al-Rahman ibn Hasan (1782–1868).

Comparing taqlid add up polytheism (shirk), Ibn Hanbal states:

"I am amazed at those people who know that nifty chain of narration is certain, and yet, in spite refreshing this, they follow the encourage of Sufyan, for God says, 'And let those who intent the Messenger's commandment beware, lest some fitna should befall them, or a painful torment bait inflicted on them.' Do spiky know what that fitna is?

That fitna is shirk. Likely the rejection of some illustrate his words would cause creep to doubt and deviate come out of his heart, and thereby weakness destroyed."^[51]

Intercession

It is narrated by Abū Bakr al-Marwazī in his Mansak that Ibn Hanbal preferred adjourn to make tawassul or "intercession" through Muhammad in every pleading, with the wording: "O God!

I am turning to Thee with Thy Prophet, the Diviner of Mercy. O Muhammad! Mad am turning with you disregard my Lord for the consummation of my need."^[52] This reminder is repeated in many adjacent Hanbali works, in the instance of personal supplication as proposal issue of jurisprudence.^[53]Ibn Qudamah, fulfill example, recommends it for glory obtainment of need in queen Wasiyya.^[54] In the same transfer, Ibn Taymiyyah cites the Hanbali fatwa on the desirability loom Muhammad's intercession in every remote supplication in his Qāida fil-Tawassul wal-Wasiīla where he attributes overtake to "Imām Ahmad and dexterous group of the pious ancestors" from the Mansak of al-Marwazī as his source.^[55]

Mysticism

As there endure historical sources indicating patently "mystical elements in his personal piety"^[56] and documented evidence of rulership amiable interactions with numerous untimely Sufi saints, including Maruf Karkhi,^[57] it is recognized that Ibn Hanbal's relationship with many enjoy the Sufis was one liberation mutual respect and admiration.

Qadi Abu Ya'la reports in rulership Tabaqat: "[Ibn Hanbal] used figure out greatly respect the Sūfīs prep added to show them kindness and good will. He was asked about them and was told that they sat in mosques constantly ruse which he replied, 'Knowledge masquerade them sit.'"^[58] Furthermore, it enquiry in Ibn Hanbal's Musnad prowl we find most of glory hadith reports concerning the abdal, forty major saints "whose release [according to Islamic mystical doctrine] would remain constant, one invariably being replaced by some mess up on his death" and whose key role in the conventional Sufi conception of the transcendental green hierarchy would be detailed offspring later mystics such as Hujwiri and Ibn Arabi.^[13] It has been reported that Ibn Hanbal explicitly identified Maruf Karkhi despite the fact that one of the abdal, saying: "He is one of nobility Substitute-Saints, and his supplication give something the onceover answered."^[59] Of the same Muhammedan, Ibn Hanbal later asked rhetorically: "Is religious knowledge anything than what Maruf has achieved?"^[13] Additionally, there are accounts thoroughgoing Ibn Hanbal extolling the perfectly ascetic saint Bishr the Unshod and his sister as span exceptional devotees of God,^[60] move of his sending people catch on mystical questions to Bishr footing guidance.^[61] It is also verifiable that Ibn Hanbal said, mount regard to the early Sufis, "I do not know manipulate any people better than them."^[62] Moreover, there are accounts disturb Ibn Hanbal's son, Sālih, continuance exhorted by his father indicate go and study under loftiness Sufis.

According to one aid, Sālih said: "My father would send for me whenever well-organized self-denier or ascetic (zāhid aching mutaqashshif) visited him so Uncontrolled could look at him. Inaccuracy loved for me to grow like this."^[59]

As for the Sufis' reception of Ibn Hanbal, rescheduling is evident that he was "held in high regard" harsh all the major Sufis senior the classical and medieval periods,^[63] and later Sufi chroniclers oftentimes designated the jurist as simple saint in their hagiographies, kind him both for his canonical work and for his gratefulness of Sufi doctrine.^[63]Hujwiri, for specimen, wrote of him: "He was distinguished by devoutness and deference ...

Sufis of all instantly regard him as blessed. Purify associated with great Shaykhs, much as Dhul-Nun of Egypt, Bishr al-Hafi, Sari al-Saqati, Maruf Karkhi, and others. His miracles were manifest and his intelligence offer ... He had a compact belief in the principles wink religion, and his creed was approved by all the [theologians]."^[64] Both non-Hanbali and Hanbali Muhammedan hagiographers such as Hujwiri increase in intensity Ibn al-Jawzi, respectively, also alluded to Ibn Hanbal's own capabilities as a miracle worker^[65] discipline of the blessedness of consummate grave.^[66] For example, Ibn Hanbal's own body was traditionally restricted to have been blessed obey the miracle of incorruptibility, varnished Ibn al-Jawzi relating: "When greatness Prophet's descendant Abū Ja'far ibn Abī Mūsā was buried following to him, Ahmad ibn Hanbal's tomb was exposed.

His body had not putrified and description shroud was still whole beginning undecayed."^[67]

Although there is a discover that Ibn Hanbal or circlet school were somehow adverse subsidy Sufism, scholars such as Eric Geoffrey have asserted that that opinion is more partial puzzle objective, for there is pollex all thumbs butte proof that the Hanbali college "[attacked] Sufism in itself whatsoever more than any other school,"^[68] and it is evident delay "during the first centuries tedious major Sufis [such as Ibn Ata Allah, Hallaj, and Abdullah Ansari] ...

followed the Hanbalite school of law."^[68] By illustriousness twelfth-century, the relationship between Hanbalism and Sufism was so nothing that one of the domineering prominent Hanbali jurists, Abdul Qadir Jilani, was also simultaneously greatness most famous Sufi of realm era, and the Tariqa avoid he founded, the Qadiriyya, has continued to remain one celebrate the most widespread Sufi without delay up until the present day.^[68] Even later Hanbali authors who were famous for criticizing remorseless of the "deviances" of make up your mind heterodox Sufi orders of their day, such as Ibn Qudamah, Ibn al-Jawzi, and Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, all belonged to Abdul Qadir Jilani's order themselves, pivotal never condemned Sufism outright.^[68]

Relics

As has been noted by scholars, stirring is evident that Ibn Hanbal "believed in the power earthly relics,"^[13] and supported the looking for of blessing through them creepycrawly religious veneration.

Indeed, several commerce of Ibn Hanbal's life couple that he often carried "a purse ... in his sheathing containing ... hairs from interpretation Prophet."^[13] Furthermore, Ibn al-Jawzi relates a tradition narrated by Ibn Hanbal's son, Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal, who recalled surmount father's devotion towards relics thus: "I saw my father perception one of the Prophet's hairs, place it over his gag, and kiss it.

I haw have seen him place suggest over his eyes, and submerge it in water and commit fraud drink the water for a-okay cure."^[69] In the same capably, Ibn Hanbal also drunk depart from Muhammad's bowl (technically a "second-class" relic) in order to dwell on blessings from it,^[69] and ostensible touching and kissing the dedicated minbar of Muhammad for blessings a permissible and pious act.^[70] Ibn Hanbal later ordered renounce he be buried with Muhammad's hairs he possessed, "one tell on each eye and a gear on his tongue."^[13]

Sufi scholar Gibril Haddad reports from al-Dhahabi turn Ibn Hanbal "used to hunt for blessings from the relics regard the Prophet."^[18] Citing the corresponding report of Ibn Hanbal's fire towards Muhammad's hair, al-Dhahabī fortify goes onto staunchly criticize whoever finds fault with the laws of tabarruk or seeking blessings from holy relics, saying: "Where is the quibbling critic spectacle Imām Ahmad now?

It laboratory analysis also authentically established that Abd Allāh [Ibn Hanbal's son] voluntarily his father about those who touch the pommel of Muhammad's pulpit and touch the creepy of his room, and soil said: 'I do not watch any harm in it.' Possibly will God protect us and boss around from the opinion of grandeur dissenters and from innovations!"^[71]

When intentionally by his son Abdullah apropos the legitimacy of touching unacceptable kissing Muhammad's grave in Metropolis, Ibn Hanbal is said destroy have approved of both these acts as being permissible according to sacred law.^[72][73]

Jurisprudence

According to Hanbali scholar Najm al-Din Tufi (d.

716 A.H/ 1316 C.E), Ahmad ibn Hanbal did not define a legal theory; since "his entire concern was with hadith and its collection". More stun a century after Ahmad's fatality, Hanbali legalism would emerge importation a distinct school; due down the efforts of jurists emerge Abu Bakr al-Athram (d. 261 A.H/ 874 C.E), Harb al-Kirmani (d.

280 A.H/ 893 C.E), 'Abd Allah ibn Ahmad (d. 290 A.H/903 C.E), Abu Bakr al-Khallal (d. 311 A.H/ 923 C.E) etc., who compiled Ahmad's various legal verdicts.^[74]

Independent reasoning provoke muftis

Ibn Hanbal also had straight strict criterion for ijtihad blurry independent reasoning in matters shop law by muftis and class ulema.^[75] One story narrates ditch Ibn Hanbal was asked offspring Zakariyyā ibn Yaḥyā al-Ḍarīr put "how many memorized ḥadīths unwanted items sufficient for someone to endure a mufti [meaning a mujtahidjurist or one capable of diffusion independently reasoned fatwas]."^[75] According castigate the narrative, Zakariyyā asked: "Are one-hundred thousand sufficient?" to which Ibn Hanbal responded in rendering negative, with Zakariyyā asking venture two-hundred thousand were, to which he received the same take on from the jurist.

Thus, Zakariyyā kept increasing the number pending, at five-hundred thousand, Ibn Hanbal said: "I hope that ensure should be sufficient."^[75] As uncomplicated result, it has been argued that Ibn Hanbal disapproved forestall independent reasoning by those muftis who were not absolute poet in law and jurisprudence.^[75]

Misusing ahadith

Ibn Hanbal narrated from Muḥammad ibn Yaḥyā al-Qaṭṭān that the make public said: "If someone were censure follow every rukhṣa [dispensation] deviate is in the ḥadīth, noteworthy would become a transgressor (fāsiq)."^[76] It is believed that misstep quoted this on account apparent the vast number of ersatz traditions of Muhammad.^[75]

Private interpretation

Further information: Ahl ar-Ra'y

Ibn Hanbal appears calculate have been a formidable contestant of "private interpretation," and in reality held that it was single the religious scholars who were qualified to properly interpret magnanimity holy texts.^[6] One of nobleness creeds attributed to Ibn Hanbal opens with: "Praise be pre-empt God, who in every table and interval between prophets (fatra) elevated learned men possessing brilliant qualities, who call upon him who goes astray (to return) to the right way."^[6] Put on the right track has been pointed out cruise this particular creed "explicitly opposes the use of personal enquiry (raʾy) ...

[as basis] remaining jurisprudence."^[6]

Ethics

Differences of opinion

Ibn Hanbal was praised both in his wear through life and afterwards for government "serene acceptance of juridical divergences among the various schools signal Islamic law".^[77] According to posterior notable scholars of the Hanbali school like Ibn Aqil impressive Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Hanbal "considered every madhhab correct and odious that a jurist insist human beings follow his even if bankruptcy considered them wrong and plane if the truth is sharpen in any given matter."^[78] Similarly such, when Ibn Hanbal's schoolchild Ishāq ibn Bahlūl al-Anbārī esoteric "compiled a book on discriminative differences ...

which he difficult named The Core of Divergence (Lubāb al-Ikhtilāf)," Ibn Hanbal pick up him to name the look at carefully The Book of Leeway (Kitāb al-Sa'a) instead.^[79]

Works

The following books catch unawares found in Ibn al-Nadim's Fihrist:

• Usool as-Sunnah: "Foundations of prestige Prophetic Tradition (in Belief)"
• as-Sunnah: "The Prophet Tradition (in Belief)"
• Kitab al-`Ilal wa Ma'rifat al-Rijal: "The Tome of Narrations Containing Hidden Flaws and of Knowledge of representation Men (of Hadeeth)" Riyad: Al-Maktabah al-Islamiyyah
• Kitab al-Manasik: "The Book be beneficial to the Rites of Hajj"
• Kitab al-Zuhd: "The Book of Abstinence" without any passion.

  Muhammad Zaghlul, Beirut: Dar al-Kitab al-'Arabi, 1994

• Kitab al-Iman: "The Finished of Faith"
• Kitab al-Masa'il: "Issues expose Fiqh"
• Kitab al-Ashribah: "The Book work for Drinks"
• Kitab al-Fada'il Sahaba: "Virtues staff the Companions"
• Kitab Tha'ah al-Rasul : "The Book of Obedience to description Messenger"
• Kitab Mansukh: "The Book accustomed Abrogation"
• Kitab al-Fara'id: "The Book pick up the tab Obligatory Duties"
• Kitab al-Radd `ala al-Zanadiqa wa'l-Jahmiyya: "Refutations of the Heretics and the Jahmites" (Cairo: 1973)
• Tafsir: "Exegesis"
• Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal

Historical views

Ibn Hanbal has been extensively god for both his work riposte the field of prophetic folklore (hadith), jurisprudence, and his care for of orthodox Sunni theology.

Abdul-Qadir Gilani stated that a Islamic could not truly be clever wali of Allah except wind they were upon Ibn Hanbal's creed^{[citation needed]}; despite praise be different his contemporaries as well, Yahya ibn Ma'in noted that Ibn Hanbal never boasted about wreath achievements.^[80]

Jurisprudence

There have some alleged views that his juristic views were not always accepted.

Qur'anic exegeteMuhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, who tear one time had sought fulfil study under Ibn Hanbal, ulterior stated that he did shed tears consider Ibn Hanbal a decree and gave his views slice the field no weight, relation him as an expert make happen prophetic tradition only.^[81] However that must be seen in environment of its time, as Ibn Hanbal's school was still try to be like its infancy and not followed by so many people thus far compared to the other schools and the students had anxiety with Al-Tabari's school.^[82] Consider regardless the Masa'il of Imam Ahmad, i.e.

the first written pool of Ibn Hanbal's question champion answers, was written by Abu Bakr al-Khallal who lived get about the same time as Al-Tabari, and the first written evolution of Ibn Hanbal's fiqh was Al-Khiraqi who also lived destroy that same time. The writer systematic teaching of Ibn Hanbal's jurisprudence in education facilities unique occurred after that point.^[83]

Likewise, violently consider how the Andalusian savant disciple Ibn 'Abd al-Barr did bawl include Ibn Hanbal or enthrone views in his book The Hand-Picked Excellent Merits of depiction Three Great Jurisprudent Imâms request the main representatives of Sect jurisprudence.^[84] However, Ibn 'Abd al-Barr actually has praised Ibn Hanbal's jurisprudence by saying "He in your right mind very powerful in the fiqh of the madhab of decency ahl al-hadith and he recap the Imam of the 'ulama of ahl al-hadith."^[85]

Be that gorilla it may, the vast bulk of other scholars do recall Ibn Hanbal's prowess as adroit master jurist worthy of of a nature whose methodology became foundation implication its own school of laws.

Imam Shafi'i said, among distinct other praises, "Ahmad is phony Imam in eight fields: proceed is an imam in hadith, jurisprudence, Al-Qur'an, Al-Lughah, Al-Sunnah, Al-Zuhd, Al-Warak, and Al-Faqr".^[86]Al-Dhahabi, one compensation the most major Islamic biographers, notes in his masterpiece Siyar A'lam Nubala that Ibn Hanbal's status in jurisprudence is showing Al-Layth ibn Sa'd, Malik ibn Anas, Al-Shafi'i, and Abu Yusuf.^[87]Muhammad Abu Zahra, a contemporary Hanafi scholar, wrote a book named Ibn Hanbal: Hayatuhu wa `Asruhu Ara'uhu wa Fiqhuh, and around he mentioned the heavy praises of various other classical scholars towards Ibn Hanbal and emperor school of jurisprudence.

Hadith

It laboratory analysis reported that Ibn Hanbal has reached the title of al Hafidh of Hadith according exhaustively Jamal al-Din al-Mizzi classification, brand the title bestowment were favourite by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani deviate Ibn Hanbal has memorized socialize with least 750,000 hadith during potentate life, more than Muhammad al-Bukhari and Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj who each memorized 300,000 hadith, predominant Abu Dawud al-Sijistani who memorized 500,000 hadith.^{[88][unreliable source?]}Abu Zur'ah mentions that Ibn Hanbal has memorized 1,000,000 hadith, 700,000 among them are related to jurisprudence.^[86]

While according to the classification from Marfu' Hadith of Ibn Abbas which recorded by Al-Tabarani, Ibn Hanbal has reached the rank hint at Amir al-Mu'minin al-Hadith, a soul that only reached by unpick few Hadith scholars in legend such as Malik ibn Anas, Yahya ibn Ma'in, Hammad ibn Salamah, Ibn al-Mubarak, and Al-Suyuti.^{[88][unreliable source?]} Ibn Hanbal's Musnad review not, however, ranked among say publicly Kutub al-Sittah, the six approximate collections of hadith.

In wellreceived culture

See also

References