الإمام أحمد بن حنبل والخباز ( من عجائب الاستغفار)

Summary

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal arrived in a foreign city where no one recognized him. Exhausted, he sought to sleep in a mosque, but the guard refused and forced him out. A baker noticed Imam Ahmad and invited him to his home. While preparing dough, the baker continuously recited prayers of forgiveness. Imam Ahmad, intrigued, asked if the baker had seen any benefit from his constant prayers. The baker replied that all his prayers had been answered except one: to meet Imam Ahmad. The Imam then revealed his identity, saying, 'I am Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and God has brought me to you.'

Takeaways

• 😊 Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal arrived in a foreign city where no one recognized him.
• 😔 He was exhausted and sought rest in a mosque, but the guard refused to let him sleep there.
• 🕌 Imam Ahmad, despite his dignified appearance, was turned away from the mosque by the guard.
• 🥖 A baker noticed Imam Ahmad outside the mosque and offered him a place to stay.
• 🙏 The baker was constantly engaged in seeking forgiveness (istighfar) from Allah while working with dough.
• 🤔 Imam Ahmad observed the baker’s consistent practice of istighfar and inquired about its effects.
• 😊 The baker responded that all his prayers had been answered except one.
• ❓ Imam Ahmad asked what the unanswered prayer was.
• 🎯 The baker revealed that he had been praying to see Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal in person.
• 😲 Imam Ahmad then told the baker, 'I am Ahmad ibn Hanbal,' acknowledging that he had been brought to him by divine will.

Q & A

What was Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal's condition when he arrived in the unfamiliar city?

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal was extremely tired when he arrived in the unfamiliar city.

Why did the mosque guard refuse to let Imam Ahmad sleep inside the mosque?

The mosque guard did not recognize Imam Ahmad and refused to let him sleep inside, likely following standard rules about not allowing people to sleep in the mosque.

What did the baker do when he saw Imam Ahmad outside the mosque?

The baker saw Imam Ahmad outside the mosque and offered to let him sleep at his house.

What was the baker's habit while preparing dough?

The baker had the habit of constantly seeking forgiveness (istighfar) from Allah while preparing dough and baking bread.

What did Imam Ahmad ask the baker after noticing his continuous istighfar?

Imam Ahmad asked the baker if he had noticed any benefits or results from his frequent istighfar.

How did the baker respond to Imam Ahmad's question about the benefits of istighfar?

The baker responded that every prayer he made had been answered by Allah, except for one.

What was the one prayer that the baker said had not been answered?

The baker said his unanswered prayer was his request to see Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal.

What was Imam Ahmad's reaction to the baker's statement about the unanswered prayer?

Imam Ahmad revealed his identity to the baker and told him that he had been 'dragged' to him, implying that Allah had answered the baker's prayer by bringing Imam Ahmad to him.

What qualities of Imam Ahmad were evident when he met the guard and the baker?

Imam Ahmad was described as having an aura of piety, humility, and self-discipline, which were visible to those who saw him.

What is the main lesson from the story of Imam Ahmad and the baker?

The main lesson from the story is the power of istighfar and how sincere supplications can lead to unexpected blessings and divine intervention.