What is your opinion of those who say that Imam Ahmad was not imprisoned for saying that the Qur'an is created, but rather because of his status among the community?
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The questioner : May Allah forgive us and you, O honorable Shaykh. What is your opinion of what is said about Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) that he was not imprisoned and not tortured for saying that the Qur'an is created, but rather because of the great status he held among the common people?
The Shaykh : I see that this contradicts the apparent meaning. The apparent meaning is that he was imprisoned because he did not say that the Qur'an is created. Had he said it, he would not have been imprisoned.
However, he (may Allah have mercy on him) did not say that, even though he was threatened with death, because if he had said it, the entire community would have turned to saying that the Qur'an is created. But he was patient, so his patience became a form of jihad in the path of Allah. When such imams are patient in the face of the word of truth, they thereby draw near to Allah and hope for the reward of Allah the Exalted for the harm they suffered. Yes.
The Shaykh : I see that this contradicts the apparent meaning. The apparent meaning is that he was imprisoned because he did not say that the Qur'an is created. Had he said it, he would not have been imprisoned.
However, he (may Allah have mercy on him) did not say that, even though he was threatened with death, because if he had said it, the entire community would have turned to saying that the Qur'an is created. But he was patient, so his patience became a form of jihad in the path of Allah. When such imams are patient in the face of the word of truth, they thereby draw near to Allah and hope for the reward of Allah the Exalted for the harm they suffered. Yes.