The Biography of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal is remembered for many things. He was an Imam in Fiqh,
Hadith, and many other sciences. In fact, his madh-hab is one of the four
established madh-habs of Ahl as-Sunnah wal-Jamaah. Yet, the one matter he is
most remembered for... one of the most defining moments in the History of Ahl
as-Sunnah wal-Jamaah... is his stance in the time of the Mihnah (the
Inquisition).

Imam Ali ibn al-Madini, the great teacher of Imam al-Bukhari said, "Truly,
Allah supported this religion with Abu Bakr as-Siddiq the day of the apostasy
(ar-Riddah), and He supported it with Ahmad ibn Hanbal the day of the
Inquisition ( al-Mihnah)."

Imam ash-Shafii said, "I left Baghdad and did not leave behind me anyone
more virtuous, more learned, more knowledgeable than Ahmad ibn
Hanbal."