Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (780-855 CE) was a prominent Islamic scholar and theologian, best known for founding the Hanbali school of thought in Sunni Islam. His teachings emphasized strict adherence to the Quran and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) while advocating for a conservative interpretation of Islamic law. Ahmad is renowned for his steadfastness during the Mihna, a theological conflict over the nature of the Quran. His works, particularly the "Musnad," a collection of Hadith, remain influential. The Hanbali school is one of the four major Sunni schools of jurisprudence, noted for its emphasis on tradition and community consensus.