Imam Ahmad became a byword for enduring trials and remaining steadfast upon the truth, undeterred by anyone’s blame in the cause of Allah. Indeed, the title “Imam” became inseparable from his name on everyone’s lips: “Imam Ahmad said”; “This is the position of Imam Ahmad.” This accords with the words of Allah Most High:

“And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and had certainty in Our signs.”

He was granted such patience and certainty as entitled him to leadership in religion. “Three caliphs,” whose power extended from east to west, successively subjected him to persecution. They were supported by scholars of speculative theology, judges, ministers, informers, commanders, and governors whose numbers Allah alone could reckon. Some imprisoned him; others subjected him to dire threats of death and other punishments, inducements of authority and wealth to whatever extent Allah willed, and beatings; still others drove him from his home and banished him. Throughout this, people at large abandoned him—even his own companions among the scholars, the righteous, and the devout. Yet he did not concede a single word of what they demanded. He neither abandoned what the Quran and Sunnah taught, nor concealed knowledge, nor resorted to concealing his beliefs for his own protection.

Rather, he made known the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and the reports concerning him, and repelled innovations contrary to them, to a degree unmatched by any of his peers and fellow scholars, earlier or later. Thus, one of the shaykhs of Syria said: “No one has made known what the Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—brought as Ahmad ibn Hanbal did.” How, then, could anyone suppose that he feared for himself over this statement, which was of no consequence?