Therefore, we should also respect the descendants of the Holy Prophet         صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, his companions, his family رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم; rather, we must respect and revere everything related to the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Moreover, we should adopt such an environment where the respect of the Prophet and the love, respect and reverence of these esteemed personalities are instilled within our hearts.

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic sisters! One enlightened perspective from the blessed life of the famous personality of the Hanbali school of thought, Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه, is also that he loved the acts of worshipping Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ,such as Salah, Fasts and recitation of the Holy Quran immensely.

His love and affection for worshipping Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ was such that even after bearing the dangerous and extremely painful punishment of being whipped, his spirit was still high and offering Nawafil [optional prayers] in abundance was a part of his blessed routine. Let’s listen to the views of our pious predecessors رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـه regarding Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal’s رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه passion for worship:

Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal’s رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه passion for worship

Sayyiduna Idrees Haddad رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه states: ‘I always saw Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه offering Salah, reciting the Holy Quran or reading a book, and never saw him busy in any worldly matter. When the severity of these matters would increase, then he would not eat anything for 1, 2 or even 3 days. When he would see any of his family members, he would drink water through which they would consider his stomach to be full.’

Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal’s رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه son, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه states: ‘My father would recite one Manzil of the Holy Quran every night and would complete the entire Quran in 7 days, and then he would remain standing in worship until the morning. He would offer 300 Rak’aat (units) of Salah every day. When he was whipped, he became weak, and then he would offer 150 Rak’aat (units) of Salah every day. He would be at ease 3 times and would scream 3 times. (Hilyat-ul-Awliya, vol. 9, pp. 192, Raqm 13658)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic sisters! You heard how much worship the famous pious person of his time, Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه, would perform. Now, we should