"Should I Misguide Them All?": Imam Ahmad’s Unwavering Stand for Orthodoxy [Shorts]
During the early Abbasid period, the Mutazili school of thought, which emphasized rationalism and the created nature of the Qur'an, gained significant influence over the caliphate. Al-Ma'mun, the Abbasid caliph, was a strong proponent of Mutazili ideology. In 218 AH, he issued a decree compelling all scholars across the Islamic world to affirm that the Qur'an was created—a belief held by the Mutazilites but contrary to mainstream Islamic understanding, which views the Qur'an as the eternal and uncreated word of Allah (SWT).
In his attempt to enforce this belief, al-Ma'mun ordered a rigorous inquisition (Mihna), persecution of the scholars of the time. The governors were commanded to interrogate scholars and force them to publicly accept the Mutazili doctrine. Those who refused were imprisoned, tortured, or killed.
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal’s Resistance
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (رحمه الله), renowned for his mastery of Hadith and Fiqh, stood at the forefront of this theological battle. Alongside him was his companion, Muhammad bin Nuh (رحمه الله), who also resisted the Mutazili imposition. Both refused to yield to the caliph's demands, standing firm on their belief that the Qur'an was the uncreated word of Allah.
Imam Ahmad and Muhammad bin Nuh were arrested and taken to meet al-Ma'mun for questioning. However, as they were being transported to the court of al-Ma'mun, al-Ma'mun passed away suddenly. Upon hearing the news, Muhammad bin Nuh (رحمه الله) reportedly uttered "Alhamdulillah," (as a sense of relief that one of the most tyrannical enforcers of the Mihna was no longer in power). This statement was taken as a sign of rebellion, which led to his execution. Imam Ahmad, on the other hand, was spared from immediate death but was subjected to immense hardship and torture.
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (رحمه الله), renowned for his mastery of Hadith and Fiqh, stood at the forefront of this theological battle. Alongside him was his companion, Muhammad bin Nuh (رحمه الله), who also resisted the Mutazili imposition. Both refused to yield to the caliph's demands, standing firm on their belief that the Qur'an was the uncreated word of Allah.
Imam Ahmad and Muhammad bin Nuh were arrested and taken to meet al-Ma'mun for questioning. However, as they were being transported to the court of al-Ma'mun, al-Ma'mun passed away suddenly. Upon hearing the news, Muhammad bin Nuh (رحمه الله) reportedly uttered "Alhamdulillah," (as a sense of relief that one of the most tyrannical enforcers of the Mihna was no longer in power). This statement was taken as a sign of rebellion, which led to his execution. Imam Ahmad, on the other hand, was spared from immediate death but was subjected to immense hardship and torture.
The Debate and Torture
Upon al-Ma'mun’s death, his brother al-Mu'tasim assumed the caliphate and continued the Mihna. Imam Ahmad was brought for interrogation and debated with the ruling authorities, including leading Mutazili scholars. The debates centered around the nature of the Qur'an, and Imam Ahmad, with his sharp intellect and deep conviction, continuously refuted the Mutazili claims.
The torture Imam Ahmad endured was severe. He was whipped repeatedly, and his body became so badly injured that, as witnesses mentioned, even an elephant would not have been able to withstand the lashes he received. Despite the unbearable pain, Imam Ahmad stood firm in his beliefs. One of his students advised him to accept the doctrine temporarily under the concept of Ruqsah (a legal concession in Islam), citing the verse from Surah An-Nisa, "Do not kill yourselves" [4:29]. Imam Ahmad replied by instructing the student to go out and see what the Ummah was doing. The student came out and found large crowds of people waiting with paper and pens, eager to record Imam Ahmad’s response from the debate. When he returned and told Imam Ahmad what he saw, Imam Ahmad said, "Should I misguide all of them?"
Imam Ahmad was imprisoned for nearly 28 months. During this time, he suffered injuries that left him bedridden for several months after his release. Al-Mu'tasim eventually passed away, and the caliphate transferred to al-Wathiq. While al-Wathiq continued the Mutazili policy, instead of torturing Imam Ahmad, he placed him under house arrest, effectively isolating him from the public.
Despite the harsh treatment, Imam Ahmad's influence only grew. His refusal to compromise became an inspiration for scholars and laypeople alike. Eventually, under Caliph al-Mutawakkil, who reversed the Mutazili policies, Imam Ahmad was restored to a position of honor, and the Mihna came to an end.
Upon al-Ma'mun’s death, his brother al-Mu'tasim assumed the caliphate and continued the Mihna. Imam Ahmad was brought for interrogation and debated with the ruling authorities, including leading Mutazili scholars. The debates centered around the nature of the Qur'an, and Imam Ahmad, with his sharp intellect and deep conviction, continuously refuted the Mutazili claims.
The torture Imam Ahmad endured was severe. He was whipped repeatedly, and his body became so badly injured that, as witnesses mentioned, even an elephant would not have been able to withstand the lashes he received. Despite the unbearable pain, Imam Ahmad stood firm in his beliefs. One of his students advised him to accept the doctrine temporarily under the concept of Ruqsah (a legal concession in Islam), citing the verse from Surah An-Nisa, "Do not kill yourselves" [4:29]. Imam Ahmad replied by instructing the student to go out and see what the Ummah was doing. The student came out and found large crowds of people waiting with paper and pens, eager to record Imam Ahmad’s response from the debate. When he returned and told Imam Ahmad what he saw, Imam Ahmad said, "Should I misguide all of them?"
Imam Ahmad was imprisoned for nearly 28 months. During this time, he suffered injuries that left him bedridden for several months after his release. Al-Mu'tasim eventually passed away, and the caliphate transferred to al-Wathiq. While al-Wathiq continued the Mutazili policy, instead of torturing Imam Ahmad, he placed him under house arrest, effectively isolating him from the public.
Despite the harsh treatment, Imam Ahmad's influence only grew. His refusal to compromise became an inspiration for scholars and laypeople alike. Eventually, under Caliph al-Mutawakkil, who reversed the Mutazili policies, Imam Ahmad was restored to a position of honor, and the Mihna came to an end.
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