Abū Dāwūd said: “Aḥmad’s gatherings (1) were gatherings of the Hereafter; nothing of worldly affairs was ever mentioned in them. I never once heard Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal speak about this world.”

Al-Bayhaqī relates that Imām Aḥmad was asked about tawakkul (reliance upon Allah). He replied, “It is to cut off all expectant looks by despairing of people.” He was asked, “Is there any proof for that?” He answered, “Yes. When Abraham was catapulted (2) into the fire, Gabriel appeared to him and said, ‘Do you have any need?’ Abraham said, ‘As for you, no (3).’ Gabriel replied, ‘Then ask the One to whom you truly have need.’ Abraham responded, ‘Of the two possible outcomes, I prefer whichever of them is dearer to Him (4).’ ”

Abū Jaʿfar Muḥammad ibn Yaʿqūb al-Ṣaffār narrated: “We were with Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal in Surrā Man Raʾā. We said, ‘Pray to Allah for us.’ He supplicated, ‘O Allah, You know that we know that You are toward us more generous than we desire; so keep us always upon what You love.’ Then he fell silent. We said, ‘Add more for us.’ He continued: ‘O Allah, we ask You by the power with which You said to the heavens and the earth, “Come, both of you, willingly or unwillingly,” and they said, “We come willingly” (Fussilat: 11). O Allah, grant us success in attaining Your pleasure. O Allah, we seek refuge in You from poverty save to You, and from humiliation save before You. O Allah, do not grant us so abundantly that we transgress, nor withhold from us so severely that we forget. Bestow upon us, out of Your mercy and the vastness of Your provision, that which will suffice us in Your world (5) and enrich us by Your grace.’ ”

Al-Bayhaqī said: In the account of Abū al-Faḍl al-Tamīmī from Aḥmad, his supplication while in prostration was: “O Allah, whoever among these leaders is not upon the truth yet thinks he is upon the truth, return him to the truth so that he may be among the people of truth.” He would also say: “O Allah, if You accept a ransom for the sinners of Muḥammad’s community—peace and blessings be upon him—then make me that ransom.”

Ṣāliḥ, the son of Imām Aḥmad, said: “My father would never allow anyone to draw water for his ablution; he would do it himself. When the bucket emerged full (6), he would say, ‘Praise be to Allah.’ I asked, ‘Father, what benefit is there in that?’ He replied, ‘My son, have you not heard the word of Allah: “Say: Suppose your water were to sink deep into the earth; who then could bring you flowing water?” (al-Mulk: 30).’ There are very many reports from him on this subject.”

Aḥmad also compiled a large and remarkable book on zuhd (asceticism)—one that had no precedent and to which no one has since produced an equal. And it is thought