Overall topic: Studying

Peace be upon all of you

I was just contemplating the phrase 'I'm studying' (partly because I shouted it 50 times today whenever a bang/bing/bong/you-name-it went off in the kitchen. I don't know why my family can't live in peace) At what point are we actually studying? Does studying consist of the information going into your head or just a pretend portrayal, an acting of the scene of studying? Because I feel like I never study...oh well, I'm not sure where I was going with this.

The truth is, I am liking school very much. It gives you something productive to do and keeps you on the path of achieving a tangible goal, earning a diploma. How would school be like if they didn't give diplomas? Would anyone show up to school? If that was the way the world worked...if anyone could attend the best university and get that knowledge, but not have the bragging rights or the degree to wave under the noses of others...would anyone seek the knowledge anyways?

I think not, because people only go to schools now to get jobs. I would say I am guilty of this mistake. Because if it wasn't so important to go to school, I would stay at home and do what I do on an average summer. I would do house chores and bake. I would join a soccer team and train professionally. I would go to skate parks every day and just have fun on the ramps. I would eventually save money to build my own skate ramp so that my skirt doesn't always lead to my downfall...literally. I would teach anyone who wanted to know something I knew and I would travel the world. I would learn a new language every year and spend a year in a country that speaks it. Mostly, I would take Islamic seminars and attend all islam-related lectures on things that interest me...and definitely Al Maghrib classes :) I want to work for the Khan Academy and do anything just as long as I'm part of something that great. I guess overall this would be the kind of life I would like to have...if we lived at the time of the prophet (S).

Well, that doesn't make sense because most of these things wouldn't exist...okay, I guess I'm really happy with my life right now because even though I tried to describe my funnest life ever, it sounds really boring. Even the traveling part. I think that's because it's missing family. Life is so sad without family. Speaking of family, they all went to sleep. And tomorrow is a big day insha'Allah. Actually, it's EID! well...just for our MSA. Yes, we celebrate Eid a week before Eid. I can't help but feel we missed the point. We're supposed to work hard in thul-hijjah and celebrate our hard work later. What we are doing is very different...I'm not even sure what it is. Like, what are we celebrating...? Hajj just started.

Well, I'll leave you with some advice, that I'm just copying and pasting from somewhere else. Eat halal Chinese food. It's really good. Oh and study what you love. You have to love it so much that you take extra time to study it more. Because if you are sitting down to work your brain..to do something more difficult than sitting there doing nothing....voluntarily...then masha'Allah, you're pretty motivated...and insha'Allah you're gonna have a great life :)

I don't even know where to start

There has been so much going on. I'm afraid I'm too attached to this world. Because I'm having too much fun.

To begin with, my computer science midterm is next week. And I am freaking out. Like seriously....my studying time is now just making duaa, because studying is useless at this point. Ok that's an exaggeration and I want to teach myself to stop. It's not hard but I just don't get it.

They get you this weird shape ('fractal') and it's like a bunch of boxes or something and they want you to write a code recursively for n=0,1,2,3, etc. My problem is that I overthink and I can't abstract anything. So I sit there thinking about every single step...plus I get oeverwhelmed easily I think. Mainly I just want to understand how it knows where to do the recursion? If we keep bringing it back to the front, then how can it....oh! I just got it! Ya Allah I understand now! I'm going to go solve this problem in my head and then continue this, okay? okay, salam :)

Social Intelligence and My Awkwardness

I can't cross a street. I can't walk with a group of people. I can't just walk into a Peet's and order coffee.

I mean, I can do these things.

But I would get hit by a car, bump into like five guys and three girls (when I put in a conscious effort to avoid the guys), and spill the coffee on my new hijab respectively.

A scholarship essay submitted for castleink.com

I was supposed to write an essay on recycling/reusing/conserving. This is what I wrote.

The greatest hardship human minds face when confronted with finding ways to preserve the planet from pollution and global warming and extra greenhouse gases is how depressing it all seems and inconvenient. The way that some environmental classes are taught discourages young (and old) students from really trying to solve the problem. In a world where everything happens instantaneously (bills are paid online instantaneously and movies show up on screens instantaneously) it is disheartening to think long-term anymore. They are telling the generation of social networking and revolutions and sudden changes to alter the way they are living significantly so they can have a small impact on the globe. The suggestions given to be more environment-conscious are excruciatingly low on return and basically no one can see their impact on the world, which is the hardest type of investment to convince people to make.

     I know that I've had the "What's the point? There's nothing we can do to stop it!" feeling.
Professors that have their facts memorized by heart sit at the front of the class informing us about how bad all our actions are for our planet. Terms are thrown at us: global warming, the end of the world, our future generations, living sustainably, reducing, reusing, and recycling. The students try to think of clever solutions and they witness them get shot down each time. At last, after five 'deja vu's of this scenario, a unanimous conclusion is reached. An end to the world is inevitable; we can only slow it down.
     My point is that this is the wrong attitude to approach the situation; how can you expect to find the motivation to actively reduce your wastes, reuse and keep reusing, and recycle correctly and consistently when you cannot even hope to see the results of your actions?
What works best for me is studying the way these three types of actions impact other people. I feel like it is almost part of our regular disposition to save and gather. I am thinking of hunter-gatherers and how environment-conscientious the whole planet was until humans settled down and shaped the earth to suit them. Of course there is no harm in that, but each human being should be aware of his/her human footprint.
     Our human imprint is our physical impact on the Earth, from a resource perspective. I would like for people to remember me based on my thoughts and ideas, not what car I drove, or how many houses I bought, or how much food I ate. Because our world is materialistic, we care a lot about buying as many things as we can; the concept of why have money if not to spend it? But I think our greatest treat to the world would be living in as much sync and rhythm with the world as possible. The key word here is being conscious, of your actions and habits. I try to never sleep late and if I have work to do, I have to get up at sunrise and do it. Like when I’m writing this right now. That’s because I literally do not want to waste three or four hours of energy from a light bulb when I could be in a pattern with the world of nature. I think it’s a very fine detail, not a huge deal, but it’s important to mix in reducing with your lifestyle. If going green meant going out of your way, you will find it a challenge to remain consistent. Without meaning to, your subconscious will look at reusing as a burden and an added hardship. I always look for more convenient ways to reduce my burden on the environment because this way, I know I can sustain that type of living for a longer time.
                                        10 Unique Ways to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle:
1. Always write on the front and back of notebook paper.

2. Never ever throw your batteries in the garbage or recycling. Have a drawer for batteries and once a year (or more often than that; I don’t use them as much) take all your used batteries to a battery recycling center.

3. Don’t work at night (unless you have no choice). Wake up early in the morning at sunrise and study/work by the natural light of the sun. It’s a great feeling to see the sunshine brightening gradually and I feel most awake in this situation. It is healthier for you, and lessens the electricity bill, and uses less energy. 

4. If it’s cold, wear heavier clothes rather than turning on the heater. Likewise, when it’s very hot, wear less clothes rather than turning on the air conditioner. Most things environment-friendly are also healthier for us and this is no exception. Air conditioners/heaters do not provide fresh air or ventilation and use a lot of energy and are a big cause for house fires and gas leaks. 

5. Fill your gas tank only up to half full, rather than a full tank every time. This may be inconvenient, but it helps make me aware of how much gas I am using and pushes me to drive through shorter routes and spend less time idling and wasting gas. When I have a full tank, I drive with less conscious. 

6. Ride public transportation. In my eyes, an ideal world would have lots of public transportation, not Hybrids. You can go get a Prius if you want, but there has to be an infrastructure for them if they all hit the road at once. Until that happens, public transportation solves the problem of circling around the mall for an hour looking for parking, or getting lost and wasting more gas. It can also be fun to just ride on a bus or a train with a friend and explore a new place and have fun. 

 7. Never ever throw food away. No matter what. The saddest moment ever is when food spoils. It’s our responsibility to take care of our food and not waste it or leave it out to spoil. Remember that while a minority in the world can eat until they’re full, the majority is hungry. Don’t ever get brainwashed into the ‘It’s just food!’ mentality or the ‘Food Fight!’ attitude. Food saves lives, and without it, people die. If you insist on purchasing more food than you could eat, you should take the remainder and give it to a neighbor or a homeless person. You can never go wrong with giving them food…and don’t tell me you can’t find either of those! 

8. Don’t use things for an extended period at once; Use in moderation so that your belongings last in good condition. Don’t sit down an exhaust one energy source at once. Don’t sit in front of the computer the whole day. Don’t buy a new shirt and be so happy you got it and wear it for like three days. This works really well with my mood and keeps everything working and evenly used. 

9. Do not buy new clothes unless they all fit in one place (ex: your closet). If your clothes are more than your closet can handle, do not buy new clothes until you’ve given some away. Don’t ever allow yourself to keep buying; we purchase items to survive and live decently. 

10. And finally, always remember those in poverty. Go one day without eating any food and when you break your fast, ponder on the quality of your life and appreciate what you have. Go one day without shoes! I’m doing this on my campus and it’s coming this year on April 10, 2012. For one whole day, walk barefoot or with socks on so that you realize how such a simple blessing you have means so much. Don’t buy a million pairs of shoes; if you buy one, give another away.

I read a book in the Seventh Grade that changed my life. In it, the boy (main character) was discussing his personal philosophy and I've been thinking about it ever since. He has a caps on 70 items. He can own 70 items at most. Whenever he wanted to buy something new, he would have to give something away to honor his rule. And so he decided to go without socks in order to get one pen. It is extremely theoretical; but the part that struck me the most was how unlimited the objects we own are. We have everything, don’t we?

A health article about how to burn muscle fat

too much abdominal fat is very dangerous and can increase a woman’s risk for developing breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes..etc. Change your life style:

You need to get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day. Calorie-burning activities like walking, running or biking can help you to shed excess belly fat.

Change your diet. Start eating more complex carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables, and reduce your intake of simple carbohydrates, such as sugar and white bread, to lose stomach fat.

Reduce your portion sizes. try eating five small meals each day instead of consuming three large ones.

Tone your stomach by doing abdominal exercises. Exercises like abdominal hollowing (drawing in the belly button), pelvic tilts and pelvic lifts can help burn stomach fat.

You need to add nuts to your diet. Foods that are rich in monounsaturated fats can help women get rid of lower belly fat. If you want a health snack that will reduce your midsection, eat a handful of walnuts or almonds. These foods will increase your ability to burn calories while stopping the accumulation of two types of stomach fat common in women.

Keep your insulin levels steady to get rid of belly fat in women. Avoid simple carbohydrates like potatoes, sugar and white flour. These foods may turn stomach fat cells in your body into abdominal fat magnets. Eat whole grains, foods rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) like avocados and olive oil, and healthy snacks to keep your insulin levels stabilized. you need to be optimistic about this article which will provide you step by step you need to burn your stomach fat.
got it from here:
http://www.rickandsteve.co.uk/general/health/how-to-burn-stomach-fat-for-women/

Why I am a Muslim

I have never felt so content with my religion and my choice to live the way I do as right now. I pray that my love and dedication for my religion only grows and increases with every day.

I believe in common sense and logic. I have faith that science aids us in our daily life and makes things clearer and completely understood. That being said, religion helps us even more than anything we can come up with, create, or discover. Religion makes sense. Next time you question God or religion, make sure you think of this: why not?

Im still alive

Oh my God! I can't even say it's been a long time because it's been longer than that. I don't know why there are so many earthquakes happening. I can't understand the Quantam Physics theory. I dont know why I am stressed out all the time even though I am wasting most of my time. Why do I get bored? There should be lots of things to do in life.

I love this term. All my classes are great and amazing. Except one. But that was inevitable. I am getting frightened about all the radiation that undoubtedly now lies in our atmosphere. I think that the world will end sometime soon. All the war, the killing, the earthquakes, the fires, the sadness and corruption and injustice, it's all going to end. But when that ends, so will the goodness and kindness and charity and laughter and love and hope. I think that's why no one wants everything to end. But it will.

Sometimes, I think about all the things in the world that are dangerous and threaten the lengths of our lives. like all the infinite diseases out there and new ones getting discovered each day. All the chemicals, the pollution, the war, the crime, and the suicide. Isn't it a miracle that there are still living people out there? Food for thought.

I told myself I'll go to sleep early and since I haven't had dinner yet, I have to hurry up before midnight. If that happens, I can't reward myself for sleeping early. Bon soir!

Ibn Al-Qayyim's summarized version of the effect of sins:

1) Prevention of knowledge
2) Prevention of Rizq
3) Weakening of the heart
4) Reduces lifespan (barakah)
5) Contempt from Allah
6) Decrease of remorse
7) Increase of humiliation
8) Lack on intelligence
9) Sealing of the heart
10) Spoiling of the lands resources
11) Disappearance of modesty
12) Becoming neglectful of Allah (swt)
13) Pain and suffering in this world and the next

Wahb bin Munabbih (RH) said:
A scholar once asked another greater than him in knowledge, “How much should I build?” He replied, “As much as shelters you from the sun and the rain.”
He asked, “How much food should I eat?” He replied, “More than what keeps you hungry and less than what makes you full.”
He asked, “How much should I wear?” He replied, “As the Messiah (Jesus) did.”
He asked, “How much should I laugh?” He replied, “As much as appears on your face but does not make audible your voice.”
He asked, “How much should I cry?” He replied, “Never tire from crying out of the fear of Allâh.”
He asked, “How much should I hide my deeds?” He replied, “Until people think you had not done a good deed.”
He asked, “How much should I make public my deeds?” He replied, “As much as will let the keen follow your example but not have the people talk about you.”

“Make the most of five things before five others: life before death, health before sickness, free time before becoming busy, youth before old age, and wealth before poverty.”
Imam Ahmad advised: Whatever good you are able to do then do it- perhaps you will not be able to tomorrow. And do not postpone today's deeds for tomorrow, perhaps tomorrow will come and you are deceased.

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “When a man says something, then glances left or right, his words are a confidence to be kept.” [Hasan hadith. Tirmidhi]

Imam Nahlawi says: “Telling a secret means to inform others of a remark, action, or state which one learns of from someone who wants it to remain hidden, whether it be good or bad. This is hurting him, and hurting others is unlawful.”

“Whenever people meet, it is obligatory to keep secret any act that occurs, any word spoken, or any state attributable to someone, when these concern something one would normally wish to remain confidential.” [al-Durar al-Mubaha fi al-Hazr al-Ibaha, quoted in “Reliance of the Traveller” by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri]

In Islam, there is no need to tell a Muslim 'Promise you won't tell'. It becomes a duty in front of Allah (SWT) to maintain the secret once it is evident that the speaker does not want it to be shared with anyone else. You should only share the secret if concealing it hurts the rights of someone that Allah (SWT) gave them.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “My entire nation is safe, except al-Mujahirin (those who boast of their sins). Among the Mujaharah is that a man commits an (evil) act, and wakes up in the morning while Allah has kept his (sin) a secret, he says: “O so- and-so! Last night I did this and that.” He goes to sleep while Allah has kept his (sin) a secret but he wakes up in the morning and uncovers what Allah has kept a secret!” [Saheeh al-Bukhari]

If you become aware of another's flaws, keep it a secret. Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “He, who relieves a hardship of this Dunya (world) for a believer, Allah will relieve (from him) a hardship of the Day of Resurrection; he who makes easy an indebted person, Allah will make it easy for him in the Dunya and the Hereafter; he who covers a Muslim (meaning his mistakes and shortcomings), Allah will cover him in the Dunya and the Hereafter …” [Sahih Muslim]

"I don't smoke but I keep a match box in my pocket. When my heart slips towards a sin, I burn a match stick and heat my palm. Then I say to myself, 'Ali', you can't even bear this heat, how would you bear the unbearable heat of hell?" - Muhammad Ali

May Allah bless him with jannah. Ameen!

70 Sins You Should Never Do

01. Associating anything with Allah
02. Murder
03. Practising magic
04. Not Praying
05. Not paying Zakat
06. Not fasting on a Day of Ramadan without excuse
07. Not performing Hajj, while being able to do so
08. Disrespect to parents
09. Abandoning relatives
10. Fornication and Adultery
11. Homosexuality(sodomy)
12. Interest(Riba)
13. Wrongfully consuming the property of an orphan
14. Lying about Allah and His Messenger
15. Running away from the battlefield
16. A leader's deceiving his people and being unjust to them
17. Pride and arrogance
18. Bearing false witness
19. Drinking Khamr (wine)
20. Gambling
21. Slandering chaste women
22. Stealing from the spoils of war
23. Stealing
24. Highway Robbery
25. Taking false oath
26. Oppression
27. Illegal gain
28. Consuming wealth acquired unlawfully
29. Committing suicide
30. Frequent lying
31. Judging unjustly
32. Giving and Accepting bribes
33. Woman's imitating man and man's imitating woman
34. Being cuckold
35. Marrying a divorced woman in order to make her lawful for the husband
36. Not protecting oneself from urine
37. Showing-off
38. Learning knowledge of the religion for the sake of this world and concealing that knowledge
39. Bertrayal of trust
40. Recounting favours
41. Denying Allah's Decree
42. Listening (to) people's private conversations
43. Carrying tales
44. Cursing
45. Breaking contracts
46. Believing in fortune-tellers and astrologers
47. A woman's bad conduct towards her husband
48. Making statues and pictures
49. Lamenting, wailing, tearing the clothing, and doing other things of this sort when an affliction befalls
50. Treating others unjustly
51. Overbearing conduct toward the wife, the servant, the weak, and animals
52. Offending one's neighbour
53. Offending and abusing Muslims
54. Offending people and having an arrogant attitude toward them
55. Trailing one's garment in pride
56. Men's wearing silk and gold
57. A slave's running away from his master
58. Slaughtering an animal which has been dedicated to anyone other than Allah
59. To knowingly ascribe one's paternity to a father other than one's own
60. Arguing and disputing violently
61. Witholding excess water
62. Giving short weight or measure
63. Feeling secure from Allah's Plan
64. Offending Allah's righteous friends
65. Not praying in congregation but praying alone without an excuse
66. Persistently missing Friday Prayers without any excuse
67. Unsurping the rights of the heir through bequests
68. Deceiving and plotting evil
69. Spying for the enemy of the Muslims
70. Cursing or insulting any of the Companiions of Allah's Messenger

Abdullaah ibn Abbaas (RA) said, “do not sit with the people of innovation, for verily their sittings are a sickness for the hearts” [ash-Sharee'ah pg 65 of al-Aajurree (d.360)]

Mu’aadh bin Jabal (RA) used to say, whenever he sat in a circle of knowledge, “and I warn you of what is innovated, for all that is innovated is misguidance” [ash-Sharee'ah pg.55, also Abu Dawood with similar wording]

Abdullaah ibn Mas’ud (RA) said, “follow the sunnah of Muhammad and do not innovate, for what you have been commanded is enough for you.” [ad-Daarimee]

Hudhayfah bin al-Yaman said, “every act of worship that the Companions did not do, do not do it” [Abu Dawood]

Beware of made up duaas because while they have blessings, if you say them all the time instead of, say, the athkar that the prophet (S) said every day and night, you are missing out on far better blessings and forgetting the sunnah.

Ibn al-Mubarak said: I have seen wrong actions killing hearts, and their degradation may lead to their bcoming addicted to them. Turning away from wrong actions gives life to the hearts, And opposing your self is best for it.

13 tips to memorize the Qur'an




Realize that memorizing the Qur'an is a spiritual and physical project. It's a miracle and blessing from Allah that we are able to memorize the Qur'an. If we want to take advantage of this blessing, we should be in a position to receive it. Therefore, let's strive physically to achieve it and spiritually to get the maximum benefit. Here are 13 tips for memorizing the Qur'an

1. Sincerity
The first matter we must pay attention to is our intention. If we intend good we will get good. Make sure that the intention is for the sake of Allah alone. With this memorization, hope for Allah's reward in the hereafter. It is not to show off in front of others that you have memorized a lot of the Qur'an. Sincerity is not a one time thing. It's a continual battle that we always have to renew.

2. Consistency
The more frequently you memorize, the easier it becomes. It is very essential to be consistent, and not to skip even one day. There is no week-end in worship. The minimum that one should memorize is three lines – five is ideal. If we are consistent, Insha Allah, we will be able to be memorize the whole Qur'an within 5-6 years.

3. Timing
The first thing we should do in the day is memorize. Do this even before breakfast because this is our spiritual breakfast. The best time to memorize is right after Fajr.

4. Atmosphere
Go to a secluded place. Memorize in a place that is quiet. We can't memorize properly with distractions, so turn off all your devices (like cell phones).

5. Familiarity
Start at the same time, at the same place and use the same mushaf (copy of the Qur'an) every day. We need to have our own mushaf, it will later become very dear to you.

6. No magic trick
Repeat, repeat, and repeat over and over again. It is only repetitive recitation and/or listening that will help us memorize with perfection.

7. Memorize with the meaning
Read the translation of the meaning before you start and try to match the Arabic words with their meanings.

8. Listen to recitation, always
Listen often to the Qur'an. Before you start to memorize, listen to what you are about to memorize from good reciters.

9. Find a companion
Get a friend, a family member or someone you know who will listen to the recitation every day. Ideally, find someone who is also memorizing the Qur'an to create a peer pressure system.

10. Revision
Recite daily in your Salah what you have memorized. If you forget one portion, you will immediately rush towards the Qur'an and correct your mistake and you will never do this mistake again.


11. Triple daily dose
Everyday, before you start memorization of new verses, revise the recitation of the previous seven days because it's easy to forget new memorization. Moreover it will be good connector between where you left previously and the new verses that you will begin with. At a later time of day, revise what you memorized before the last seven days. One should at least revise 4-5 pages every day.

12. Do not jump around
Be consistent. Don't try to go to another surah if you find a particular one difficult. Stick to the order. That way, you will have the satisfaction of having completed a juz rather than leaving some portions here and there.

13. The three chunks
Start from the back. Shorter surahs will bring you a big boost. Divide the memorization of the Qur'an in three parts: a) Juz 28, 29, 30 or just Juz 29, 30; b) Surah Al-Kahf till Juz 28; c) Surah Al-Baqara to Surah Al-Kahf.

- Muslim Matters

Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “The pious offspring who casts a single look of affection at his parents receives a reward from Allah equal to the reward of an accepted Hajj.” The people enquired: “O Prophet of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), if someone casts a hundred such glances of love and affection at his parents, what then?” The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Yes, indeed, even if one does so a hundred times a day, he will get a hundred fold reward. Allah is far greater than you imagine and is completely free from petty narrow mindedness.” [Sahih Muslim]

Kiss a parent today! It doesn't have to be your own, if you are unable to. Kiss your aunt, your grandmother. Show affection for someone your parents loved.

Al-Harith Bin Qays (Allah have mercy on him) said: “When intending to do something good, do not delay it until tomorrow. When involved in something to do with the hereafter, keep yourself involved as long as you can. When involved in some worldly matter, put your mind to it (so as to get it done). And if you are praying and Shaytan whispers, ‘You are showing off,’ then make your prayer even longer.”

Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) said: "The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) deputised me to keep (guard over) Sadaqah of Ramadan. Someone came and started taking handfuls of the Sadaqah quickly. I took hold of him and said, 'By Allah, I will take you to the Messenger of Allah.' He said, 'I am needy and have many dependents.' I released him, and in the morning the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) asked me, 'What did your prisoner do yesterday?' I said, 'O Messenger of Allah! The person complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so I pitied him and let him go.' The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, 'Indeed, he told you a lie and he will return.' I believed that he would return again as the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) had told me that he would return. So I waited for him watchfully. When he returned and started stealing handfuls of foodstuff I caught hold of him again and said, 'I will definitely take you to the Messenger of Allah.' He said, 'Leave me, for I am very needy and have many dependents. I promise I will not come back again.' I pitied him and let him go.

In the morning the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) asked me, 'What did your prisoner do?' I replied, 'O Messenger of Allah! He complained of his great need and of too many dependents, so I took pity on him and set him free.' The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, 'Verily, he told you a lie and he will return.' I waited for him attentively for the third time, and when he came and started stealing handfuls of the Sadaqah, I caught hold of him and said, 'I will surely take you to the Messenger of Allah as it is the third time you promise not to return, yet you break your promise and come.' He said, 'Forgive me and I will teach you some words with which Allah will benefit you.' I asked, 'What are they?' He replied, 'When ever you go to bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi: 'Allah – There is no God but He, the Living, the Everlasting', till you finish the whole verse. If you do so, Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no devil will come near you till morning.' So, I released him.

In the morning, the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) asked, 'What did your prisoner do yesterday?' I replied, 'He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allah will benefit me, so I let him go.' The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) asked, 'What are they?' I replied, 'He said to me, ‘When ever you go to bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi from the beginning to the end: ‘Allah – There is no God but He, the Living, the Everlasting.’ He further said to me, ‘If you do so, Allah will appoint a guard for you, who will stay with you, and no devil will come near you till morning.’ The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, 'He really spoke the truth, although he is an absolute liar. Do you know whom you were talking to, these three nights, O Abu Hurairah?' Abu Hurairah said, 'No.' He said, 'It was Shaytan (the Devil).'" [Sahih Bukhari: Book of Wakalah]

Abd Allah ibn Ahmad (Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal's son) said: "I heard Abu Zur`a [al-Razi] say: ‘Your father had memorized a million hadiths, which I rehearsed with him according to topic."

Ibrahim al-Harbi said: "I held Ahmad as one for whom Allah had gathered up the combined knowledge of the first and the last."

Harmala said: "I heard al-Imam al-Shafi`i say: ‘I left Baghdad and did not leave behind me anyone more virtuous (afdal), more learned (a`lam), or more knowledgeable (afqah) than Ahmad ibn Hanbal.’"

`Ali ibn al-Madini said: "Truly, Allah reinforced this Religion with Abu Bakr al-Siddiq the day of the Great Apostasy (al-Riddah), and He reinforced it with Ahmad ibn Hanbal the day of the Inquisition (al-Mihna)." This is referrring to the lies that were said about the Quran being a creation of Allah (SWT).

Abu `Ubayd said: "The Science at its peak is in the custody of four men, of whom Ahmad ibn Hanbal is the most knowledgeable."

Ibn Ma`in said, as related by `Abbas [al-Duri]: "They meant for me to be like Ahmad, but by Allah! I shall never in my life compare to him."

Muhammad ibn Hammad al-Taharani said: "I heard Abu Thawr say: ‘Ahmad is more learned and more knowledgeable than al-Thawri."

Al-Dhahabi concludes: "Al-Bayhaqi wrote Abu `Abd Allah’s biography (sîra) in one volume, so did Ibn al-Jawzi, and also Shaykh al-Islam [`Abd Allah al-Harawi] al-Ansari in a brief volume.
"He passed on to Allah’s good pleasure on the day of Jum`a, the twelfth of Rabi` al-Awwal in the year 241, at the age of seventy-seven. I have two of his short-chained narrations (`awâlîh), and a licence (ijâza) for the entire Musnad."

Al-Dhahabi’s chapter on Imam Ahmad in Siyar A`lam al-Nubala’ counts no less than 113 pages.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal had many teachers, the most prominent was Imam Shafiee (RA) whom he met on several separate occasions and each time he took full benefit of the opportunity. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal commented, ‘Only after sitting in the Majlis of Imam Shafiee (RA) did I understand and comprehend nasikh and mansukh hadith.’ even though by this time he was very knowledgeable in uloom-al-hadith.

It was only at the age of forty, in 204 A.H., the Imam began formally teaching hadith. Whilst his teachers were still alive he refused to teach and narrate hadith out of humility and respect for them. Imam Ahmad was acknowledged by the Ulama of his time as Imam ul Hadith. May Allah (SWT) have mercy on him.