Those who remained steadfast throughout the ordeal and gave no concession whatsoever were four men (1):
- Ahmad ibn Hanbal, their leader and foremost representative.
- Muhammad ibn Nuh ibn Maymun al-Jundisaburi, who died on the road while he and Ahmad were being taken to al-Ma’mun.
- Nuʿaym ibn Hammad al-Khuzaʿi, who passed away in prison.
- Abu Yaʿqub al-Buwayti; he died in al-Wathiq’s prison after refusing to affirm that the Quran was created. He was weighed down with irons and instructed that he be buried in them.
As for Ahmad ibn Nasr al-Khuzaʿi, we have already detailed the manner of his execution (2) (may Allah have mercy on him) in the days of al-Wathiq.
Commendations of the leading scholars for Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (3)
Al-Bukhari said: “When Ahmad ibn Hanbal was flogged we were in Basra, and I heard Abu al-Walid al-Tiyalisi say, ‘Had this taken place among the Children of Israel, it would have become the talk of the nations.’”
Ismaʿil ibn al-Khalil said: “Had Ahmad ibn Hanbal been among the Children of Israel, he would have been a marvel.”
Al-Muzani remarked: “Ahmad ibn Hanbal on the day of the ordeal, Abu Bakr on the day of the Ridda, ʿUmar on the day of Saqifah, ʿUthman on the day of the House, and ʿAli on the day of Siffin.”
Harmalah stated: “I heard al-Shafiʿi say, ‘I left Iraq, and I never saw there a man better, more knowledgeable, more scrupulous, or more God-fearing than Ahmad ibn Hanbal.’”
His teacher Yahya ibn Saʿid al-Qattan said: “No one who has ever come to me from Baghdad is dearer to me than Ahmad ibn Hanbal.”
Qutaybah said: “Sufyan al-Thawri has died and with him piety has died; al-Shafiʿi has died and with him the sunnahs have died; and when Ahmad ibn Hanbal dies, innovations will spread.” In another narration Qutaybah said: “Ahmad ibn Hanbal stood for this community in the place of prophethood.”
Al-Bayhaqi explained: “Meaning: in his patience over the harm he endured for the sake of Allah—exalted is He.”