He replied: ‘Huzoor! I am from the eastern valleys. My heartfelt wish was to visit this area. If your house was not here, then I would not have come here. I have just come to behold you.’

I then asked him: ‘You’ve travelled alone, in the scorching heat, in poverty and tolerated the difficulties of travelling just so you could meet me?’

He replied: ‘Yes Huzoor! My longing desire to behold you has brought me here. There is no other purpose for me to come here.’

I was very surprised to hear the traveller’s conversation and said in my   heart: I neither have dirhams nor dinar that I could help this poor traveller.   At that time, I only had 4 Rotis with me. Whilst giving them to him, I said:        ‘O bondman of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! I do not have dirhams or dinar (i.e. worldly wealth), otherwise I would have definitely given it to you. I only have these 4 Rotis that I kept to eat. Please accept them.’

The traveller said: ‘Huzoor! I have quenched my thirst by beholding you. Now, I am not worried about dirhams or dinar (worldly wealth). But with regards to the Rotis, if your happiness lies in me taking the Rotis, then I will take them with the intention of gaining blessing.’

I said to him: ‘If you accept these Rotis, I will be very happy.’

The traveller accepted the Rotis and said: ‘Huzoor! I am hopeful that your given Rotis will suffice me until I reach my city. May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ protect you.’

He then kissed my hands and sought permission to leave. I allowed him to leave and said: ‘Go! I leave you in the care of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ!’

He then left. I stood outside looking at him until he disappeared from my sight. Sayyiduna Saalih رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه states: ‘My father would often speak about that traveller.’ (‘Uyoon-ul-Hikayaat, pp. 314)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Attributes of Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه

O devotees of Awliya! Many admirable attributes of Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه, the guide of millions of Hanbalis, are mentioned in the above-mentioned narration. For example:

٭    He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه is that great personality whose children, rather grandchildren, would also respect and revere him so much.

٭    He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه loved his children very much.

٭    He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه would relate good things to his children for their persuasion.