Ahmad ibn Hanbal said, “I marvel at people who know the chain of transmission and its soundness, yet still follow the opinion of Sufyan, while Allah the Exalted says: ‘So let those who oppose his command beware, lest a trial afflict them’ (al-Nur 63). Do you know what that trial is? It is falling into polytheism. A person who rejects even part of his (the Prophet’s) statement may have a deviation cast into his heart and thus be ruined.”
Biographical notes
- Ahmad: Imam Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal, d. 241 AH.
- Sufyan: Abu ‘Abd Allah Sufyan ibn Sa‘id al-Thawri—an ascetic, devout, trustworthy jurist—d. 161 AH.
Explanation
• “Ahmad said”—that is, when he was informed that certain people abandon the hadith and adopt the view of Sufyan or other jurists.
• “They knew the chain of transmission and its soundness”: they recognized that the isnad of the hadith is authentic, and an authentic isnad proves the authenticity of the hadith itself.
• “who oppose his command”: the command of Allah or of the Messenger; the verb is linked with ʿan because it conveys the sense of turning away.
• “lest a trial afflict them”: a calamity in this world,
• “or a painful punishment afflict them”: in the Hereafter.
• “perhaps”: referring to the person for whom the Prophet’s sunnah has been established.
• “if he rejects part of his statement”: i.e., the statement of the Prophet.