Download PDF: [S] Imam Hanbal’s Steadfastedness

It is mentioned that when Khalifah Mu’tasim billah became helpless in trying to change the view of Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Ahmed bin Hambal – may Allah be pleased with him –  about the Qur’an being a creation so he decided to punish the great Imam even more. He nominated even more stronger and powerful people to deliver punishment to the great Imam. This continued until blood began to flow freely from the blessed body of the great Imam.

 

Once, he asked Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Ahmed bin Hambal – may Allah be pleased with him , “All you have to say are a very simple words which is that the Qur’an is a creation and I will personally open these chains and allow you to go free. I will also make you a very rich man.”

 

However, the great Imam replied, “Bring a verse of the Qur’an or a Hadith to prove this to me. If you can do so, I will change my mind.”

 

However, instead of doing that, Mu’tasim billah heaped more punishment on him. He turned to his jailers and said to them. “This person is not prepared to listen to me. Therefore, I command you to punish him even further and make the punishment more severe.”

 

They then started to whip Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Ahmed bin Hambal – may Allah be pleased with him – even more until the skin on his back split open and blood began to pour from the wound. A so-called scholar from the court of the Khalifah then approached Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Ahmed bin Hambal – may Allah be pleased with him – and said to him, “O Ahmed bin Hambal! Has the Qur’an not advised us that we should not kill ourselves? Why are you putting your life in such danger? By you not listening to the khalifah, you are actually killing yourself.”

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Ahmed bin Hambal – may Allah be pleased with him – said to him, “Go outside and tell me what you see.”

 

When he looked outside, he could see hundreds of people who were waiting with their pens and paper. He then asked them what they were waiting for. They replied, “We are waiting for an answer from Imam Ahmed bin Hambal about whether the Qur’an is a creation or not so that we may record it.”

 

When he again appeared in front of Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Ahmed bin Hambal – may Allah be pleased with him –  he mentioned to him what the people had said. The great Imam then declared, “Can I misguide all of these masses? I am prepared to die but am not prepared to mislead all of these people.”

 

Such was the steadfast and bravery of these great Imams. That is the reason that until the day of Judgement, true Muslims will always make Du’a for them and remember them in their Du’as. (Sayr)