It is related from him that he said: “The nearest path is to be broken-hearted, humble, and in need; revere the command of Allah, show compassion toward Allah’s creation, and follow the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.”

It was said that he followed the Shāfiʿī school and was versed in jurisprudence.

It was also reported that he used to gather firewood, carry it to the houses of widows, and fill their water-jugs for them.

Someone once asked him, “Master, what exactly are you?” He wept and replied, “O poor soul! And who am I to speak of? Establish your lineage and lay claim to your inheritance (1).”

He also said (2): “When the gathering convened, each person asked for something (3). Then this nobody, Aḥmad, said, ‘My Lord, Your knowledge encompasses me and my request.’ They pressed me again, so I said, ‘My Master, I desire not to desire, and I choose to have no choice.’ My prayer was granted, and the whole affair was placed in His hands.”

It is said that he once saw a dervish kill a louse and remarked, “No—may Allah seize you! Has that satisfied your anger?!”

He is also reported to have said: “If, on my right, a group were fanning me with aloeswood and fragrant perfumes—people dearest to me—and, on my left, an equal number were cutting my flesh with shears—people most hateful to me—those on the right would gain no extra standing with me, nor would those on the left lose anything in my estimation because of what they did.” He then recited: “so that you may not grieve over what has escaped you, nor exult in what He has given you” [Hadid 57:23].