Muslims Forum

  Early Life and Background Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, one of the most revered scholars in Islamic history, was born in 164 AH (780 CE) in the city of Baghdad, during the height of the Abbasid Caliphate. His full name was Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal al-Shaybani. He descended from the noble Arab tribe of Shayban. Although his family originated from Basra, he was brought up in Baghdad, which was then a thriving hub of intellectual and religious scholarship. Imam Ahmad lost his father in early childhood and was raised by his devout mother, who nurtured in him the values of faith, perseverance, humility, and sincerity—qualities that later became hallmarks of his character and scholarly legacy. Quest for Knowledge From a young age, Imam Ahmad showed a strong inclination toward learning. He memorized the Qur’an early on and pursued studies in Arabic language, poetry, and Islamic jurisprudence. As he grew older, his passion for the Hadith sciences became his primary focus. In his quest for ...

  Early Life and Background Imam Mālik ibn Anas ibn Mālik ibn Abī ‘Āmir al-Asbaḥī was born in the year 93 AH (711 CE) in the sacred city of Madinah, during the era of the Umayyad Caliphate. He hailed from the noble Yemeni tribe of Al-Asbah and belonged to a family deeply rooted in Islamic scholarship. His grandfather was a Companion of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and his father was also engaged in religious learning. Growing up in Madinah, a center of Islamic knowledge and spiritual heritage, Imam Mālik was nurtured in an atmosphere of devotion, scholarship, and respect for the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. His mother, a woman of profound insight and piety, played an instrumental role in shaping his path. She encouraged him toward the study of Hadith and Fiqh, once advising him, “Go to Rabiʿah and learn from his manners before you learn from his knowledge,” while dressing him in the garb of a seeker of knowledge. Pursuit of Knowledge From a young age, Imam Mālik dedicated himself to the pur...

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, one of the most revered scholars in Islamic history, was born in Baghdad in the year 164 AH (780 CE) , during the rule of the Abbasid Caliphate. His full name was Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal al-Shaybani , and he descended from the noble Arab tribe of Shayban . Although his family originally came from Basra , he was raised in Baghdad—then a flourishing center of scholarship, culture, and intellectual activity. His father passed away when he was very young, leaving him in the care of his devout and steadfast mother. She played a pivotal role in shaping his character, instilling in him strong values of faith, patience, discipline, and sincerity . Pursuit of Knowledge From an early age, Imam Ahmad immersed himself in the pursuit of knowledge. He began by memorizing the Qur’an , and studied Arabic language , grammar , poetry , and Islamic jurisprudence . As he grew older, his focus shifted predominantly to the study of Hadith (Prophetic traditions) , which became t...

 The question of whether Islam spread through warfare or compassion has long been a subject of debate and misconception. However, a careful examination of Islamic history, the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and the behavior of his companions reveals a consistent reality: Islam primarily expanded through mercy, justice, exemplary character, and peaceful outreach . While there were instances of military engagement, these were largely defensive and aimed at protecting religious freedom. [1] Islam’s Core Message: Peace and Compassion The word "Islam" is rooted in the Arabic letters S-L-M , which relate to peace, submission, and safety. Fundamentally, Islam is about submitting to the will of Allah and living a life defined by justice, kindness, and moral integrity. The Qur’an describes the mission of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the following verse: “And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:107) This verse underscores that the Pr...

  Early Life and Background Imam al-Shafi‘i, whose full name was Muhammad ibn Idris ibn al-‘Abbas ibn Uthman ibn Shafi‘ , was born in Gaza, Palestine , in the year 150 AH (767 CE) —the same year in which Imam Abu Hanifa passed away . He descended from the noble Quraysh tribe and traced his lineage back to Abd Manaf , the great-grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Following the early death of his father , Imam al-Shafi‘i was raised by his mother in Mecca , where he began his initial studies. Despite facing financial difficulties, his mother remained committed to his education. Her efforts bore fruit early on—he memorized the Qur'an by the age of seven and Imam Malik’s Muwatta by the age of ten , showcasing a remarkable intellect from a young age. Pursuit of Knowledge and Major Teachers Imam al-Shafi‘i undertook extensive journeys in his quest for knowledge, learning from some of the most distinguished scholars of his era. Among his most influential teachers were: Imam Ma...

  Early Life and Background Imam Abu Hanifa, whose full name was Nu‘mān ibn Thābit ibn Zūṭā al-Kūfī , was born in Kufa, Iraq , in the year 80 AH (699 CE) , during the rule of the Umayyad Caliphate. He came from a family of Persian origin . His grandfather, Zuta , is believed to have been brought to Kufa as a prisoner from Kabul, where he later embraced Islam. The family became known for its honesty in trade and strong adherence to Islamic values . Though born in a period marked by political turbulence, especially between the Umayyad rulers and the Alid movement, Abu Hanifa initially focused on a career in commerce . He was a silk merchant , widely respected for his trustworthiness and ethical conduct in business. However, his growing intellectual curiosity and regular interaction with scholars eventually inspired him to pursue a life dedicated to Islamic knowledge and jurisprudence. Education and Teachers Imam Abu Hanifa acquired knowledge under the guidance of some of the ...

  Early Life and Noble Lineage Imam Hasan ibn Ali (رضي الله عنه) was born in the blessed city of Medina on the 15th of Ramadan, 3 AH (625 CE) . As the eldest grandson of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ , he held a unique and cherished place in the Prophet’s heart. His parents were Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) and Fatimah az-Zahra (RA) , the noble daughter of the Prophet ﷺ. From the moment of his birth, the Prophet ﷺ demonstrated his deep affection for the newborn. He gave him the name Hasan —a name previously unknown among the Arabs—and performed the Sunnah of Tahnik , gently placing a chewed date into the infant's mouth as a gesture of blessing and love. As a member of the Ahl al-Bayt , Imam Hasan (RA) was raised in an environment filled with faith, wisdom, and righteousness, surrounded by some of the most virtuous individuals of the early Muslim community. Prophetic Praise and Hadith about Imam Hasan (RA) The love and admiration the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had for Imam Hasan (RA) are well do...