The Meaning of "Mufaradat" (Unique Rulings) According to Imam Ahmad

The questioner:
Finally, you mentioned, may Allah preserve you, that the statement that it is obligatory to mention the name of Allah during ablution is a unique position of Imam Ahmad. What is the meaning of "unique positions" in the case of Imam Ahmad?

The Shaykh:
These are the positions by which he differed from the other Imams on the matter. He departed from the other four Imams in these instances; these are his unique rulings, may Allah have mercy on him. Yes.

The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh, and your reading.

The Shaykh:
He does not hold a unique position without having a precedent from the Companions or the Successors. However, regarding the unique positions, the three Imams did not state them, but it is necessary that he have a precedent from the Companions or the earlier generations. Yes, because, may Allah have mercy on him, he does not hold a unique opinion without resembling a view from the Companions, the Successors, or the early Imams. Yes.