Imām Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (d. 241H) said: “It is not
permissible for anyone among the people to fight the ruler and not to rise up
against him. And whosoever does that is an innovator, upon other than Sunnah
and upon other than the Straight Path.”
(Al-Lālīkā’ī, 1/161)
Translated by Abu Khadeejah أبو خديجة
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A
few extract…
Ishāq Ibn Rāhooyah
(d. 238) said: “Ahmad Ibn Hanbal is a proof between Allah and
His servants in this world.” And as for Qutaibah Ibn Sa’eed
Al-Baghlānee (d. 240), the Hāfidh, then his speech is extensive regarding Ahmad
(rahimahullāh). He would say: “Ahmad is the Imām of the
world.” On an occasion, he mentioned a group of the Tābi’een and mentioned Imām Ahmad along with them.
So someone asked him: “You include Ahmad in your
mention of the Tābi’een?” He responded: “Yes, amongst the greater Tābi’een!” So
not only is he mentioned in the ranks of the Tābi’een but in
the ranks of the greater Tābi’een! On another
occasion, he said: “If Ahmad Ibn Hanbal had
reached back into the era of Sufyān Ath-Thawree (d. 161H), Al-Awzā’ee (d.
157H), Mālik (d. 179H) and Layth Ibn Sa’d (d. 175), he would have given
precedence.” He also stated: “There is none who can be
mentioned alongside Ahmad.” Meaning that when you mention Ahmad
as a scholar, then mention him on his own [due to his level in knowledge and
understanding, bravery and steadfastness]. He also commented: “If it was not for Ahmad, piety would have died out for there was
none greater than Ahmad who served all of the Muslims. And it is a duty upon
every Muslim to seek forgiveness for him.”
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