6- “Any matter for which a report from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is soundly established among the transmitters, yet differs from what I have said—I renounce my view of it, both during my lifetime and after my death.” (1)

7- “If you ever see me stating an opinion while an authentic report from the Prophet ﷺ contradicts it, then know that my mind has departed.” (2)

8- “Whatever I have said that an authentic hadith from the Prophet ﷺ opposes, the Prophet’s hadith is more deserving of adherence, so do not follow me blindly.” (3)

9- “Every hadith traced back to the Prophet ﷺ is my position, even if you did not hear it directly from me.” (4)

4- Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him):

As for Imam Ahmad, he was the foremost of the imams in gathering the Sunnah and clinging to it, to the extent that “he disliked the compilation of books that contain detailed legal sub-issues and personal opinion.” (5) For that reason he said: