Ahmed Ibn Hanbal’s Opponents

Abstract

This research is a translation of Christopher Melchert's article, titled "Getting to Know Ahmad ibn Hanbal's Opponents". The author discussed Ahmed's opposition of the rational current, and the quasi-rational current. He also tried to look at the differences that took place between Ahmed ibn Hanbal and the people of heresy, and to provide some additional points in the usual vision of religious politics in the 9^th century AD. The research concluded that the attack of Ahl Al-Hadith was not directed mainly against the Mu'tazila. If we assume that the Mu'tazila were the main opponents of him, then most of the statements of him, his contemporaries, and his followers would have come against them.