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

Dear Islamic sisters! 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 is that great personality whose children, rather grandchildren, would also respect and revere him so much.

٭    He loved his children very much.

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

٭    He was a support to those who had no support.