[Muḥammad ibn Mihrān al-Jammāl:] Aḥmad Ibn Ḥanbal alinitokea katika ndoto akiwa amevaa joho lenye milia, au lenye umbo la almasi. Alionekana kuwa katika Rey, akijaribu kufika kwenye swala ya Ijumaa. Nilimwuliza mfasiri wa ndoto maana yake. Alisema kwamba Aḥmad atajulikana kwa tendo kubwa fulani. Haikupita muda mrefu kabla hatujasikia kuhusu alichokifanya wakati wa Mateso ya Mtihani wa Imani (Inquisition). 92.1

[Muḥammad ibn Mihrān al-Jammāl:] Aḥmad Ibn Ḥanbal appeared to me in a dream wearing a striped mantle, or one with lozenges. He seemed to be in Rey, trying to get to Friday prayer. I asked a dream interpreter what it meant. He said Aḥmad would become renowned for some great deed. It wasn’t long after that we heard about what he had done during the Inquisition. 92.1

ʿAbd al-Raḥmān aliongeza: Nilimsikia baba yangu akisema, "Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal alinitokea katika ndoto. Alionekana mkubwa kuliko kawaida na alikuwa na sura nzuri sana. Nikaanza kumuuliza kuhusu Hadith na kulinganisha riwaya." 92.2

ʿAbd al-Raḥmān added: I heard my father say, “Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal appeared to me in a dream. He looked larger than life and had very beautiful features. I began asking him about Hadith and comparing reports.” 92.2

[Ibn Khurrazādh:] Jirani mmoja wetu aliota ndoto ambapo malaika alishuka kutoka mbinguni akiwa amebeba taji saba. Mtu wa kwanza duniani kupokea mojawapo alikuwa Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal. 92.3

[Ibn Khurrazādh:] A neighbor of ours had a dream where an angel came down from the heavens carrying seven crowns. The first person on earth to receive one was Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal. 92.3

[Zakariyyā ibn Yaḥyā l-Simsār:] Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal—Mungu amrehemu—alinitokea katika ndoto akiwa na taji lililopambwa kwa vito kichwani mwake na viatu miguuni, akitembea kwa majivuno. Nilimuuliza Mungu alimhukumu vipi.4

[Zakariyyā ibn Yaḥyā l-Simsār:] Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal—God have mercy on him— appeared to me in a dream with a jeweled crown on his head and sandals on his feet, strutting around. I asked him how God had judged him. 92.4

"Alinisamehe," alisema, "akanikaribisha kwake, na akaweka taji hili kichwani mwangu kwa mikono yake mwenyewe, akisema kwamba alikuwa ananilipa kwa kusema kwamba Qur'ani ni maneno yake yasiyoumbwa." Nilimwambia kwamba sikuwahi kumwona akijigamba duniani.

“He forgave me,” he said, “brought me near Him, and placed this crown on my head with His own hands, saying that He was rewarding me for saying that the Qurʾan was His uncreated speech.” I remarked that I had never seen him strut on earth.

"Hivi ndivyo watumishi wanavyotembea peponi," alisema.

“This is how servants walk in Paradise,” he said.

[Al-Marrūdhi:] Niliota ndoto nikimwona Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal katika bustani. Alikuwa amevaa nguo za kijani na taji ya nuru kichwani, na alikuwa akitembea kwa namna nisiyowahi kumwona akitembea hapo awali. 92.7

[Al-Marrūdhi:] I dreamed I saw Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal in a garden. He was dressed in green with a crown of light on his head and walking in a way I had never seen him walking before. 92.7

"Aḥmad," nilisema, "huu mwendo wako mpya ni upi?" Akasema, "Hivi ndivyo watumishi wanavyotembea peponi."

“Aḥmad,” I said, “what’s this new stride of yours?” “This is how servants walk in Paradise,” he said.

"Taji hiyo uliyo nayo kichwani ni ipi?" "Bwana wangu, Mwenye nguvu na Mtukufu, alinisimamisha mbele Yake, akanihukumu kwa wepesi, akanivika mavazi haya, akanitukuza, akanikaribisha, akaniruhusu kumtazama, kisha akanivisha taji hii, akisema: 'Aḥmad, hii ni taji ya utukufu uliyoipata kwa kusema kuwa Qur'ani ni kauli Yangu isiyoumbwa.'" [Ibn Khuzaymah:] Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal alipofariki nilihuzunika sana. Usiku ule alinijia katika ndoto. Alikuwa akitembea kwa kujivuna. Nikamuuliza kwa nini anatembea namna ile, naye akasema: "Hivi ndivyo watumishi hutembea Peponi." 92.9

“What’s the crown I see on your head?” “My Lord, mighty and glorious, stood me before Him, judged me lightly, dressed me in these clothes, honored me, drew me near, let me gaze upon Him, and crowned me with this crown, saying, ‘Aḥmad, this is the crown of glory that you earned by saying that the Qurʾan is My uncreated speech.’” [Ibn Khuzaymah:] When Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal died I was grief-stricken. That night he appeared to me in a dream. He was swaggering as he walked. I asked him why he was walking that way and he said, “This is how servants walk in Paradise.” 92.9

“Na ulifanikiwa vipi?” “Mungu alinisamehe, akanivika taji, akanipa viatu vya dhahabu, akisema, ‘Aḥmad, hii ni thawabu yako kwa kusema kwamba Qur’ani ni maneno Yangu.’ “Kisha akasema, ‘Aḥmad, Niite kwa dua zile ulizojifunza kwa Sufyān al-Thawrī na ulizokuwa ukisoma duniani.’ “Basi nikasema, ‘Ee Mola wa vitu vyote! Kwa uweza wako juu ya vitu vyote, usiniulize kwa lolote, na unisamehe kila kitu.’ “‘Aḥmad, huu ndio Pepo. Simama, uingie.’ “Niliingia Peponi, na huko kulikuwa na Sufyān al-Thawrī. Alikuwa na mbawa, akiruka kutoka mtende mmoja hadi mwingine, akisema: «Himidi ni za Mungu aliyetimiza ahadi yake kwetu, na kutufanya warithi wa ardhi hii, akitupa makao Peponi popote tutakapotaka. Malipo ya wanaotenda kazi kwa bidii ni mazuri kiasi gani!»”489

“And how did you fare?” “God forgave me, crowned me, and gave me sandals of gold, saying, ‘Aḥmad, this is your reward for saying that the Qurʾan is My speech.’ “Then He said, ‘Aḥmad, call upon Me with those prayers you learned from Sufyān al-Thawrī and488 used to recite on earth.’ “So I said, ‘Lord of all things! By your power over all things, hold me accountable for nothing, and forgive me for everything.’ “‘Aḥmad, this is the Garden. Rise, and enter.’ “I went into the Garden, and there was Sufyān al-Thawrī. He had wings and he was flying from one palm tree to another, saying, «Praise be to God who has fulfilled His promise to us and made us the inheritors of this land, letting us settle in the Garden wherever we want. How excellent is the reward of those who labor!»”489

Niliuliza I490 kuhusu jinsi ʿAbd al-Wahhāb al-Warrāq alivyokuwa.

I490 asked him how ʿAbd al-Wahhāb al-Warrāq had fared.

"Nilimwacha akiogelea katika bahari ya nuru, katika maji safi yaliyotengenezwa kwa nuru, akimtembelea Mola wake." "Vipi kuhusu Bishr?" "Bishr mwenye bahati!" alisema Sufyān. "Nani angeweza kumfikia? Nilimwacha mbele ya Mtukufu, akiwa ameketi kwenye meza iliyojaa chakula, huku Mtukufu akimzungumzia moja kwa moja, akisema: 'Kula, wewe ambaye haujawahi kula; kunywa, wewe ambaye haujawahi kunywa; furahia, wewe ambaye haujawahi kufanya hivyo,' au maneno yenye maana hiyo." [Ibn Khuzaymah:] Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal alipofariki, nilihuzunika sana. Usiku ule alinitokea katika ndoto. Alikuwa akitembea kwa majivuno. Nilimuuliza kwa nini anatembea hivyo, naye akasema, "Ndivyo watumishi wanavyotembea peponi." 92.10

“I left him swimming in a sea of light, in pure water made of light, visiting his Lord.” “What about Bishr?” “Fortunate Bishr!” said Sufyān. “Who could match him? I left him in the presence of the Glorious One, sitting at a laden table, with the Glorious One addressing him directly, saying ‘Eat, you who never ate; drink, you who never drank; revel, you who never did,’ or words to that effect.” [Ibn Khuzaymah:] When Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal died I was grief-stricken. That night he appeared to me in a dream. He was swaggering as he walked. I asked him why he was walking that way and he said, “This is how servants walk in Paradise.” 92.10

"Na ulifanya nini?" "Mungu alinisamehe, akanivisha taji, akanipa viatu vya dhahabu, akisema, 'Aḥmad, hiki ni malipo yako kwa kusema kwamba Qur'ani ni maneno Yangu.' Kisha akauliza, 'Aḥmad, kwa nini uliandika riwaya kupitia Jarīr ibn ʿUthmān?' Nikasema kwamba yeye ni mwaminifu. 'Ni kweli,' akasema Mungu, 'lakini alimchukia ʿAlī, Mungu amlaani!'"491

“And how did you fare?” “God forgave me, crowned me, and gave me sandals of gold, saying, ‘Aḥmad, this is your reward for saying that the Qurʾan is My speech.’ Then He asked, ‘Aḥmad, why did you write down reports via Jarīr ibn ʿUthmān?’ I said he was trustworthy. ‘True,’ said God, ‘but he hated ʿAlī, God curse him!’491

“Kisha Yeye Akasema, ‘Ahmad, nidhihirishie kwa maombi yale uliyojifunza kwa Sufyān al-Thawrī na ulikuwa ukiyasoma duniani.’ “Basi nikasema, ‘Ewe Bwana wa vitu vyote!’ “‘Endelea.’ “‘Kwa uwezo wako juu ya vitu vyote.’ “‘Endelea.’ “‘Usinihesabu kwa lolote, na unisamehe kwa kila kitu.’ “‘Ahmad, huu ni Peponi. Inuka, uingie.’ “Nikaingia Peponi, na huko alikuwepo Sufyān al-Thawrī. Alikuwa na mbawa, akiruka kutoka mtende mmoja hadi mwingine, akisema, «Sifa ni za Mungu aliyetimiza ahadi yake kwetu na kutufanya warithi wa ardhi hii, akituruhusu kukaa Peponi popote tutakapo. Jinsi lilivyo bora thawabu ya wanaofanya kazi kwa bidii!»”492

“Then He said, ‘Aḥmad, pray to me using those prayers you learned from Sufyān al-Thawrī and used to recite on earth.’ “So I said, ‘Lord of all things!’ “‘Go on.’ “‘By Your power over all things.’ “‘Go on.’ “‘Hold me accountable for nothing, and forgive me for everything.’ “‘Aḥmad, this is the Garden. Rise, and enter.’ “I went into the Garden, and there was Sufyān al-Thawrī. He had wings and he was flying from one palm tree to another, saying, «Praise be to God who has fulfilled His promise to us and made us the inheritors of this land, letting us settle in the Garden wherever we want. How excellent is the reward of those who labor!»”492

Nilimuuliza jinsi ʿAbd al-Wahhāb al-Warrāq alivyokuwa.

I asked him how ʿAbd al-Wahhāb al-Warrāq had fared.

"Nilimwacha akiogelea katika bahari ya nuru, katika maji safi yaliyofanywa kwa nuru, akimtembelea Mfalme wake mwenye rehema na Bwana wake." "Vipi kuhusu Bishr?" nilimuuliza, nikimaanisha Bishr Mtu Asiyevaa Viatu.

“I left him swimming in a sea of light, in pure water made of light, visiting his merciful King and Lord.” “What about Bishr?” I asked, meaning Bishr the Barefoot.

"Amebahatika Bishr!" alijibu. "Nani anaweza kumfikia? Nilimwacha mbele ya Mwenye Utukufu, akiwa ameketi kwenye meza iliyojaa chakula, huku Mwenye Utukufu akimwambia moja kwa moja: 'Kula, wewe ambaye hukuwahi kula; kunywa, wewe ambaye hukuwahi kunywa; furahi, wewe ambaye hukuwahi kufanya hivyo.'" Kisha niliamka na kutoa sadaka dirham elfu kumi, au kiasi fulani kama hicho.

“Fortunate Bishr!’ he replied. “Who could match him? I left him in the presence of the Glorious One, sitting at a laden table, with the Glorious One addressing him directly, saying ‘Eat, you who never ate; drink, you who never drank; revel, you who never did.’” Then I woke up and gave away ten thousand dirhams—or some such amount—in charity.

[Al-Anṣārī:] Mtu mmoja kutoka Bākharz, ambayo iko katika mkoa wa Nishapur, aliniambia, "Niliota kwamba ilikuwa Siku ya Kiyama. Nilimwona mtu juu ya farasi mzuri sana, na nikasikia mtangazaji akipiga kelele: 'Asitangulie mtu yeyote mbele yake siku hii!' 92."13

[Al-Anṣārī:] A man from Bākharz, which is in the region of Nishapur, told me, “I dreamed that it was Resurrection Day. I saw a man on a splendid horse and heard a crier calling out: ‘Let no one precede him this day!’ 92.13

"Niliuliza ni nani mpanda farasi huyo, nao wakaniambia kuwa alikuwa Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal." [ʿAbd Allāh:] Niliota kuwa nilimwona baba yangu. Nilimwuliza jinsi Mwenyezi Mungu alivyomhukumu. 92.14

“I asked who the rider was and they told me it was Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal.” [ʿAbd Allāh:] I dreamed I saw my father. I asked him how God had judged him. 92.14

"Akanisimamisha mbele Yake na kusema, ‘Aḥmad, kwa ajili Yangu wewe umejaribiwa na kupigwa viboko. Hapa: tazama uso Wangu, ambao nakupa ruhusa kuuona.’" [ʿAlī ibn al-Muwaffaq:] Niliota kwamba nimeingia Peponi na huko nikawaona watu watatu.

“He stood me before Him and said, ‘Aḥmad, for My sake were you tried and flogged. Here: behold My countenance, which I grant you leave to see.’” [ʿAlī ibn al-Muwaffaq:] I dreamed I entered the Garden and there saw three men.

Wa kwanza alikuwa ameketi mezani ambapo Mungu alikuwa amemteulia malaika mmoja amhudumie chakula na mwingine amimine kinywaji kwake. Wa pili alikuwa amesimama langoni mwa Pepo pamoja na watu wengine, akiwatazama nyuso zao na kuwaruhusu waingie ndani. Na wa tatu alikuwa amesimama katikati ya Pepo akilitazama Kiti cha Enzi na kumtazama Mola. 92.17

The first was sitting at a table where God had assigned one angel to serve him food and another to pour him drink. The second was standing at the gate of the Garden with some other people, looking into their faces and letting them inside. And the third was standing in the middle of the Garden gazing at the Throne and looking at the Lord. 92.17

Nilienda Riḍwān nikamuuliza, “Hao watatu ni akina nani?” Akasema, “Wa kwanza ni Bishr Mtupu-miguu, aliyekuja hapa akiwa na kiu na njaa. Yule anayesimama katikati ya Bustani ni Maʿrūf al-Karkhī, aliyemwabudu Mungu kwa sababu alitamani kumwona, na sasa anaweza kumwona. Na yule anayesimama mlangoni ni Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal. Mungu amemwamuru atazame nyuso za Sunni, awashike mikono na kuwaleta ndani.” [Al-Ramlī:] Nilisafiri hadi Iraq na kunakili yale ambayo Wairaqi na Wahijazi waliandika, lakini nikaona maoni yao yanatofautiana sana hata nikashindwa kuchagua madhehebu ya kufuata. Usiku mmoja wa manane niliamka, nikatawadha, nikaswali rakaa mbili, kisha nikamwomba Mungu aniongoze kama Yeye apendavyo. Kisha nikalala na kumwota Nabii ﷺ. Nilimwona akipita kupitia Lango la Banū Shaybah na kuketi huku mgongo wake ukiegemea Kaaba. Alikuwa akitabasamu kwa al-Shāfiʿī na Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, waliokuwa upande wake wa kulia. Upande wa pili alikuwepo al-Marīsī. 92.18

I went to Riḍwān and asked, “Who are those three?” “The first one,” he said, “is Bishr the Barefoot, who came here parched and starving. The one standing in the middle of the Garden is Maʿrūf al-Karkhī, who worshipped God because he desired to see Him, and now he can. And the one standing at the gate is Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal. God has commanded him to look into the faces of the Sunnis, take them by the hand, and bring them inside.” [Al-Ramlī:] I traveled to Iraq and copied what the Iraqis and the Hijazis had written, but found their views so different that I couldn’t choose which school to follow. Late one night, I got up, performed my ablutions, prayed two cycles, and asked God to guide me as He wished. Then I went to bed and dreamed of the Prophet. I saw him march through the Gate of the Banū Shaybah and sit down with his back resting on the Kaʿbah. He was smiling at al-Shāfiʿī and Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, who were on his right. Off to the other side was al-Marīsī. 92.18

Nilisema, "Mjumbe wa Mungu! Wanatofautiana sana hata sijui nifuate yupi." Akiwaelekeza al-Shāfiʿī na Aḥmad, alisoma "Hao ndio tuliowapa Kitabu, hekima, na unabii." Kisha, akimwashiria al-Marīsī, alisoma "Ikiwa watu hawa watakataa, tutawakabidhi watu ambao kamwe hawatakataa kukiri. Hao ndio watu ambao Mungu aliwaongoza, basi fuateni mwongozo wao."

I said, “Emissary of God! They’re so divergent I don’t know which to follow.” Pointing to al-Shāfiʿī and Aḥmad, he recited «Those are the ones to whom We gave the Scripture, wisdom, and prophethood.»493 Then, gesturing at al-Marīsī, he recited «If these people reject it, We shall entrust it to a people who will never refuse to acknowledge it. Those were the people whom God guided, so follow their guidance.»494

[Yaḥyā l-Jallāʾ au ʿAlī ibn al-Muwaffaq:] Wakati wa Mateso ya Mahakama ya Kuhoji Imani (Inquisition), nilijadiliana na kundi la Wasimamishaji (Stoppers), nao wakanishinda vibaya. Nilirudi nyumbani nikiwa na huzuni moyoni. Mke wangu aliniwekea chakula cha jioni, lakini nilimwambia sitakula, naye akakiondoa. Kisha nililala, nikaota nimemwona Mtume ﷺ akiingia msikitini. Kulikuwa na halaiki mbili hapo: katika moja, Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal na wenzake walikuwa wamekusanyika, na katika nyingine walikuwa Ibn Abī Duʾād na washirika wake. Akisimama katikati ya halaiki hizo mbili, Mtume ﷺ alimwelekea Ibn Abī Duʾād na halaiki yake, akasoma: {Ikiwa watu hawa wataikataa …} kisha, akimwonyesha halaiki ya Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, akasoma: {… Tutaikabidhi kwa watu ambao kamwe hawataikataa.}495 92.19

[Yaḥyā l-Jallāʾ or ʿAlī ibn al-Muwaffaq:] At one point during the Inquisition, I debated a group of Stoppers, who trounced me. I went home heartsick. My wife put out some dinner, but I told her I wasn’t eating, and she took it away. Then I went to bed and dreamed I saw the Prophet coming into the mosque. There were two circles there: in one, Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal and his associates had gathered, and in the other Ibn Abī Duʾād and his cronies. Standing between the two, the Prophet gestured toward Ibn Abī Duʿād and his circle and recited «If these people reject it …» and then, pointing to the circle of Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, recited «… We shall entrust it to a people who will never refuse to acknowledge it.»495 92.19

[Isḥāq ibn Ḥakīm:] Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal alinitokea katika ndoto. Mgongoni mwake palikuwa kumeandikwa, kwa nuru badala ya wino, maneno: «Mwenyezi Mungu atakutosheleza kuwalinda dhidi yao, kwani Yeye ni Mwenye kusikia yote, Mjuzi wa yote.»496 92.21

[Isḥāq ibn Ḥakīm:] Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal appeared to me in a dream. Written on his back, in light instead of ink, were the words «God will surely suffice to defend you against them, for He is All Hearing, All Knowing.»496 92.21

[Al-Anṭākī:] Tulipokea ziara ya mtu mmoja kutoka Iraq ambaye alisifika kuwa miongoni mwa watu wenye elimu kubwa zaidi katika eneo hilo. Siku moja aliniomba nimwelekeze kwa mkalimani mzuri ambaye angeweza kufafanua ndoto aliyokuwa ameota. 92.22

[Al-Anṭākī:] We had a visit from an Iraqi who was reputed to be one of the most learned in that region. One day he asked me to direct him to a good interpreter who could explain a dream he had had. 92.22

"Nilimwona Mtume ﷺ," alisema, "amesimama katika uwanda pamoja na watu wengine. Nilimuuliza mmoja wao ni nani, akasema, 'Huyo ni Muḥammad ﷺ.'" "'Anafanya nini hapa?'" "'Anawangojea watu wa umma wake wafike.'" "Katika ndoto nilijiwazia, 'Nitabaki hapa nione kitakachotokea.'" "Baada ya watu kukusanyika karibu, nilimwona mmoja wao akiwa amebeba mkuki, kana kwamba alikusudia kutuma kikosi cha msafara. Mtume ﷺ alitazama nje, akaona mkuki mrefu kuliko yote mengine, akauliza ni wa nani."497

“I saw the Prophet,” he explained, “standing on a plain with some other people. I asked one of them who he was and he said, ‘That’s Muḥammad.’ “‘What’s he doing here?’ “‘Waiting for his community to arrive.’ “In the dream I thought to myself, ‘I’ll stay here and see what happens.’ “After the people had gathered around, I noticed that one of them was carrying a spear, as if intending to dispatch an expedition. The Prophet looked out and saw a spear taller than any of the others and asked whose it was.497

“‘Ni wa Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal.’ “‘Mleteni hapa mbele yangu!’ “Aḥmad alisogea mbele, mkuki mkononi. Nabii alichukua mkuki, akautikisa, kisha akamrudishia, akisema: ‘Nenda mbele mkawaongoze watu hawa!’ Kisha akawaita watu kwa sauti, ‘Huyu ndiye kiongozi wenu. Mfuateni, mtiini na mumtii!’ “Ndoto yako,” nilimwambia yule mtu, “haihitaji maelezo.” [Al-Sijistānī:] Niliota kwamba ilikuwa Siku ya Kiyama. Watu walipangwa mstari kwenye daraja ambalo hakuna aliyeweza kulivuka isipokuwa awe na muhuri. Upande mmoja kulikuwa na mtu aliyekuwa akitengeneza mihuri kwa pete yake ya muhuri na kuwagawia. Yeyote aliyepata mhuri angeweza kuvuka daraja. Niliuliza ni nani anayetengeneza mihuri hiyo, nao wakaniambia kwamba ni Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal. 92.23

“‘It belongs to Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal.’ “‘Bring him to me!’ “Aḥmad came forward, spear in hand. The Prophet took the spear, brandished it, and gave it back, saying, ‘Go forth and lead these people!’ Then he called out to the people, ‘This is your leader. Follow him, heed him, and obey him!’” “Your dream,” I said to the man, “needs no explanation.” [Al-Sijistānī:] I dreamed it was Resurrection Day. The people were lined up at a bridge that no one could cross unless he had a stamp. Off to one side was a man making stamps with his seal-ring and handing them out. Whoever got one could cross the bridge. I asked who was making the stamps and they told me it was Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal. 92.23

[Ibn Yūnus:] Baada ya Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal kufa, niliota kwamba nilikuwa Peponi. Sauti ikasema, "Upo Bustani ya Adeni." Kisha nikaona wapanda farasi watatu mbele yangu, na mpanda farasi wa nne akitangulia mbele yao akiwa na bendera. Nikauliza ni akina nani. 92.24

[Ibn Yūnus:] After Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal died, I dreamed I was in the Garden. A voice said, “You’re in the Garden of Eden.” Then I saw three horsemen in front of me, with a fourth horsemen riding ahead with a banner. I asked who they were. 92.24

"Yule aliye upande wa kulia ni Jibril, na yule aliye upande wa kushoto ni Mikaili. Yule aliye katikati ni Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal. Yule mwenye bendera ni Israfili. Mungu amempa bendera hiyo na kumwamuru amwingize Edeni tu wale wanaompenda Ibn Ḥanbal."498

“The one on the right is Gabriel and the one on the left is Michael. The one in the middle is Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal. The one with the banner is Isrāfīl. God has given him that banner and ordered him to admit to Eden only those who love Ibn Ḥanbal.”498

[Al-Maqdisī:] Katika ndoto niliona Mtume ﷺ amelala chini ya nguo, huku Aḥmad na Yaḥyā wakiyafukuza nzi mbali naye. 92.25

[Al-Maqdisī:] In a dream I saw the Prophet lying asleep under a garment with Aḥmad and Yaḥyā499 whisking the flies away from him. 92.25

[Sahl ibn Abī Ḥalīmah:] Tulikuwa tumepiga kambi kwenye lango la Ismāʿīl ibn ʿUlayyah tulipomwona Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal katika ndoto akiburuta joho lake. Nilidhani kwamba lile joho lilikuwa elimu. 92.26

[Sahl ibn Abī Ḥalīmah:] We were camped out at Ismāʿīl ibn ʿUlayyah’s gate when Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal appeared to me in a dream, dragging his robe. I took the robe to mean knowledge. 92.26

[Al-Shaybānī:] Huko Ascalon nilota ndoto kwamba nilikuwa Tarsus. Niliingia msikiti wa Ijumaa. Nilitazama upande wa kulia wa mihrab nikamwona Nabii ﷺ ameketi hapo, akiwa na Abū Bakr upande wake wa kulia, ʿUmar upande wake wa kushoto, na Bilāl mbele, wote wamevaa nguo za kijani, na vitambaa vizuri vilivyofunika vichwa vyao. 92.27

[Al-Shaybānī:] In Ascalon I dreamed I was in Tarsus. I went into the Friday mosque. I looked to the right of the niche and saw the Prophet sitting there with Abū Bakr on his right, ʿUmar on his left, and Bilāl in front, all in green, with beautiful cloths covering their heads. 92.27

"Amani iwe juu yako, Mjumbe wa Mungu!" nilisema.

“Peace be upon you, Emissary of God!” I said.

"Na amani iwe juu yako, mwanangu." "Mjumbe wa Mwenyezi Mungu ﷺ, katika Hadith ya Abū l-Zubayr akimnukuu ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAmr, ulisema 'Umma wangu utapigwa mawe na kuharibiwa sura.' ﷺ"500

“And upon you be peace, my son.” “Emissary of God, in the Hadith of Abū l-Zubayr citing ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAmr, you said ‘My community will be pelted and disfigured.’”500

"Ndiyo. Hiyo inawarejelea wanaounga mkono hiari ya binadamu (free will)." "Mjumbe wa Mungu, tuiachie nani dini hii?" "Kwa mtu huyu hapa," akajibu.

“Yes. That refers to the proponents of free will.” “Emissary of God, to whom can we entrust this religion?” “To this man here,” he replied.

Nilipotazama upande wa kulia wa Abū Bakr na nikamwona mtu amelala chali, amefunikwa kwa nguo nyeupe. Nikaiinua kuiondoa usoni mwake, nikamwona mtu mwenye mwili mkubwa, ndevu pana na mashavu mekundu. Kwa kuwa sikumtambua, nikauliza, "Ee Mjumbe wa Mungu ﷺ, huyu ni nani?" "Hukumtambui?" "Hapana." "Huyu ni Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal." [Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq:] Niliota kwamba Siku ya Kiyama imefika. Nilimwona Bwana wa Utukufu, nikaweza kusikia Akizungumza na kuona nuru Yake. Akaniuliza, "Unaaminije kuhusu Qur'ani?" 92.28

I looked to the right of Abū Bakr and saw a man lying on his back covered in a white garment. I lifted it away from his face and saw a well-built man with a wide beard and rosy cheeks. Not recognizing him, I asked, “Emissary of God, who is he?” “Don’t you recognize him?” “No.” “That’s Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal.” [Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq:] I dreamed that Resurrection Day had come. I saw the Lord of Glory and I could hear Him speak and see His light. He asked me, “What do you believe about the Qurʾan?” 92.28

"Ni maneno Yako, Ee Mola wa viumbe vyote." "Nani alikuambia hivyo?" "Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal." Mungu alijisifu Mwenyewe na akamwita Aḥmad.

“It is Your speech, o Lord of the Universe.” “Who told you so?” “Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal.” God praised Himself and summoned Aḥmad.

"Unaamini nini kuhusu Qur'ani?" "Ni maneno Yako, Ewe Mola wa viumbe vyote." "Unajuaje?" Aḥmad aligeuza karatasi mbili. Kwenye moja iliandikwa "Shu'bah akimnukuu al-Mughīrah," na kwenye nyingine "ʿAṭāʾ akimnukuu Ibn ʿAbbās." Kisha Mungu alimwita Shu'bah na kumwuliza, "Unaamini nini kuhusu Qur'ani?" "Ni maneno Yako, Ewe Mola wa viumbe vyote." "Unajuaje?" "Tunamnukuu ʿAṭāʾ akimnukuu Ibn ʿAbbās." ʿAṭāʾ hakuitwa, lakini Ibn ʿAbbās aliitwa.

“What do you believe about the Qurʾan?” “It is Your speech, o Lord of the Universe.” “How do you know?” Aḥmad turned over two sheets of paper. On one it said “Shuʿbah citing al- Mughīrah,” and on the other “ʿAṭāʾ citing Ibn ʿAbbās.” God then summoned Shuʿbah and asked, “What do you believe about the Qurʾan?” “It is Your speech, o Lord of the Universe.” “How do you know?” “We cite ʿAṭāʾ citing Ibn ʿAbbās.” ʿAṭāʾ was not summoned but Ibn ʿAbbās was.

"Unaamini nini kuhusu Qur'ani?" "Ni maneno Yako, ee Mola wa viumbe vyote." "Unajuaje?" "Tunamnukuu Muhammad, Mtume wa Mungu ﷺ." Basi Mtume ﷺ akaitwa.

“What do you believe about the Qurʾan?” “It is Your speech, o Lord of the Universe.” “How do you know?” “We cite Muḥammad, the Emissary of God.” So the Prophet was summoned.

"Unaamini nini kuhusu Qur'ani?" "Ni maneno Yako, Ee Mola wa viumbe vyote." "Nani alikuambia?" "Jibril, kwa idhini Yako." "Umesema kweli," alisema Mwenyezi Mungu, "na ndivyo walivyosema wote." [Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Zubayrī:] Mtu mmoja kutoka Basra aliyeitwa Abū Muḥammad al-Qurashī, ambaye alikuwa mtu wa elimu, sifa njema na uadilifu, alinijia na kusema, "Nina ndoto utakayofurahia kuisikia; acha nikueleze. Nilimwona Mtume ﷺ."

“What do you believe about the Qurʾan?” “It is Your speech, o Lord of the Universe.” “Who told you?” “Gabriel, on Your authority.” “You have spoken the truth,” said God, “and so have all of them.” [Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Zubayrī:] A man from Basra named Abū Muḥammad al- Qurashī, who was a man of learning, untarnished reputation, and rectitude, came to me and said, “I had a dream you’ll enjoy hearing about; let me tell you. I saw the Prophet.

Pamoja naye walikuwepo Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, ʿUthmān, na ʿAlī. Kisha watu wengine wanne walimjia, naye akawaalika wakaribie. Nilishangaa, kwa hiyo nikamuuliza mmoja wa waliokuwepo ni akina nani. 92.29

With him were Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, ʿUthmān, and ʿAlī. Then four more people came up to him and he invited them to come closer. I was surprised, and so I asked someone who was there who they were. 92.29

"Mālik, Aḥmad, Isḥāq, na al-Shāfiʿī." Kisha nikaona Mtume ﷺ akimshika mkono Mālik na kumketisha karibu na Abū Bakr, akimshika mkono Aḥmad na kumketisha karibu na ʿUmar, akimshika mkono Isḥāq na kumketisha karibu na ʿUthmān, na akimshika mkono al-Shāfiʿī na kumketisha karibu na ʿAlī. Nilimuuliza mfasiri wa ndoto kuhusu jambo hili, naye akaniambia: "Mālik ana hadhi sawa miongoni mwa wanazuoni kama ilivyo kwa Abū Bakr miongoni mwa Masahaba; hakuna anayepinga cheo chake."

“‘Mālik, Aḥmad, Isḥāq,501 and al-Shāfiʿī.’ “Then I saw the Prophet take Mālik’s hand and seat him next to Abū Bakr, take Aḥmad’s hand and seat him next to ʿUmar, take Isḥāq’s hand and seat him next to ʿUthmān, and take al-Shāfiʿī’s hand and seat him next to ʿAlī.” I asked a dream interpreter about this and he told me: “Mālik has the same standing among men of learning that Abū Bakr does among the Companions: no one disputes his rank.

"Aḥmad ana hadhi sawa na ʿUmar: anajulikana kwa kuwa mkali, asiyeyumba, na asiyevumilia upinzani anapofanya kazi ya Mungu. Hiyo ni kwa sababu Aḥmad hakuwahi kuyumbishwa kuhusu ukweli wa Qurʾani wala kukubali Mahakama ya Kuhukumu Wazushi (Inquisition) licha ya ukatili aliopaswa kuvumilia."

“Aḥmad has the same standing as ʿUmar: he’s famous for being tough and unflinching and brooking no opposition when doing God’s work. That’s because Aḥmad never wavered from the truth about the Qurʾan and never succumbed to the Inquisition despite the brutality he had to endure.

Isḥāq ni kama ʿUthmān: Wale Wacheleweshaji walimsababishia mateso mengi hata akalazimika kuondoka mji wake wa nyumbani.

“Isḥāq is like ʿUthmān: the Postponers caused him so much suffering that he had to leave his home town.

"Na al-Shāfiʿī yuko sawa na ʿAlī. Miongoni mwao wote, ʿAlī alikuwa hakimu bora zaidi; na al-Shāfiʿī alikuwa mjuzi zaidi katika kutoa hukumu za kisheria na kuhukumu masuala ya kisheria." [Ṣadaqah:] Daima nilikuwa na chuki dhidi ya Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal. Kisha nilikuwa na ndoto ambayo niliona Mtume ﷺ akitembea barabarani huku ameshikana mkono na Aḥmad kwa urafiki mkamilifu. Nilijaribu kuwafikia lakini sikuweza. Nilipoamka, chuki ile ilikuwa imeondoka. Kisha nikaota kwamba nilikuwa miongoni mwa umati wa watu wakati wa msimu wa Hija. Swala ilitangazwa na kila mtu akapanga safu. "Aḥmad aongoze swala!" alisema sauti moja. Kisha Aḥmad akatokea na kuongoza swala. Baada ya hapo, kila nilipoulizwa kuhusu jambo lolote, nilikuwa nikisema, "Ulizeni kiongozi wangu, Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal." 92.30

“And al-Shāfiʿī is like ʿAlī. Of them all, ʿAlī was the best judge; and al-Shāfiʿī was the most learned in the derivation of law and the judging of legal matters.” [Ṣadaqah:] I had always resented Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal. Then I had a dream where I saw the Prophet walking down a road holding his hand in perfect amity. I tried to catch up to them but couldn’t. When I woke up the resentment was gone. Then I dreamed I was among crowds of people at pilgrimage time. Prayer was announced and everyone lined up. “Let Aḥmad lead the prayer!” said a voice. Then Aḥmad appeared and led the prayer. After that, whenever I was asked about anything, I would say, “Ask my exemplar Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal.” 92.30

Muḥammad ibn ʿUbayd: Ṣadaqah alisema, "Niliota ndoto kwamba sisi tulikuwa Arafah.

[Muḥammad ibn ʿUbayd:] Ṣadaqah said, “I dreamed we were at ʿArafah.

"Kila mtu alikuwa akisubiri sala ianze. Niliuliza wanasubiri nini, na mtu mmoja akasema, 'Wanamsubiri imamu wa sala.' Kisha Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal akafika na kuongoza sala." 92.31

Everyone was waiting for the ritual prayer to start. I asked what they were waiting for and someone said, ‘They’re waiting for the prayer leader.’ Then Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal arrived and led the prayer.” 92.31

Ṣadaqah hii ilikuwa na mwelekeo wa kuafikiana na maoni ya watu wa Kufa,502 lakini baada ya ile ndoto, kila alipoulizwa swali, alikuwa akisema, "Muulizeni mfano wa kuigwa." [Al-Daʿʿāʾ:] Ibn Ḥanbal alifariki siku ya Ijumaa. Usiku ule, niliomba kwa Mwenyezi Mungu amwonyeshe kwangu katika ndoto. Kisha nililala na nikaota nikimwona amekaa juu ya farasi wa nuru aliyening'inia kati ya mbingu na ardhi. Alikuwa amemshika kwa hatamu ambayo nayo ilikuwa ya nuru. Nilinyoosha mkono kuishika hatamu lakini yeye alikivuta mbali, akisema, "Kusikia ni jambo moja, na kuona ni jambo jingine." Alisema hivyo mara mbili. Kisha niliamka. 92.32

This Ṣadaqah was inclined to the opinion of the Kufans,502 but after the dream, whenever he was asked a question, he would say, “Ask the exemplar.” [Al-Daʿʿāʾ:] Ibn Ḥanbal died on a Friday. That night, I asked God to show him to me in a dream. Then I slept and dreamed of seeing him perched on a steed of light that hung between the heavens and the earth. He was holding it by a halter that was also made of light. I reached for the halter but he pulled it away, saying, “Hearing is one thing but seeing is another.” He said it twice. Then I woke up. 92.32

[ʿAbd Allāh:] Nilikuwa safarini kuelekea Samarra, nikafikia nyumba ya wageni ambayo baba yangu alifikia alipokuwa akienda Samarra. Nilitumia muda kidogo nikitafuta alama za uwepo wake.

[ʿAbd Allāh:] I was on my way to Samarra and stayed at the inn where my father had stayed on his way to Samarra. I spent some time looking for traces of his presence.

Usiku huo, alinijia katika ndoto. Nilimwambia kwamba nilikuwa ninaenda Samarra kutimiza jambo fulani, na nikamuuliza kama ningefanikiwa. Alipokaa kimya, nilimuuliza tena, akasema, “Hapana.” Mwishowe nilitumia miezi miwili huko Samarra lakini nikarudi nyumbani mikono mitupu. 92.33

That night, he came to me in a dream. I told him that I was going to Samarra to accomplish something and asked if I would succeed. When he said nothing, I asked again, and he said “No.” I ended up spending two months in Samarra but came home empty-handed. 92.33

Mwaka mmoja baadaye, nilirudi tena na nikakaa katika nyumba ile ile ya wageni. Tena nilimwona baba yangu katika ndoto, nikamuuliza swali lile lile. Baada ya kitambo kidogo alisema, "Ndiyo," au alifanya ishara iliyomaanisha ndiyo. Safari hii nilipata nilichokitaka.

A year later, I went again, and stayed at the same inn. Again I saw my father in a dream, and I asked him the same question. After a moment he said, “Yes,” or made a gesture that meant yes. This time I got what I wanted.

[Al-Ṭabarī:] Niliota ndoto ya kumwona Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal na kumwambia, "Je, umeona jinsi hakuna tena anayekubaliana na mwenzake?" 92.34

[Al-Ṭabarī:] I dreamed of seeing Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal and telling him, “Have you seen how no one agrees with anyone any more?” 92.34

"Mradi Mungu yuko upande wako," alisema, "hakuna kitakachoweza kukudhuru." [Al-ʿUkbarī:] Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal alinitokea katika ndoto akiwa amezungukwa na watu, kana kwamba ilikuwa halaqa ya masomo. 92.35

“So long as God is on your side,” he said, “nothing can harm you.” [Al-ʿUkbarī:] Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal appeared to me in a dream with people around him as if it were a study circle. 92.35

"Nimefanya kuwekwa vikombe sasa hivi," nilimwambia. "Nile nini?" "Komamanga," alisema.

“I just had a cupping,” I told him. “What should I eat?” “Pomegranates,” he said.

[Al-Ḥarbī:] Aḥmad alinitokea katika ndoto akiwa amesimama hapo, amevaa joho lenye bitana lakini bila kitu kichwani. 92.36

[Al-Ḥarbī:] Aḥmad appeared to me in a dream standing there wearing a lined outer garment but nothing on his head. 92.36

“Nimesikia kwamba umehariri kitabu kuhusu fadhila za Mtume ﷺ,” alisema.

“I hear you’ve edited a work on the virtues of the Prophet,” he said.

"Nimepata." "Hongera!" alisema.

“I have.” “Well done!” he said.

"Ningeweza vipi kufanya vinginevyo? Lau si yeye, tungekuwa Wamajusi. Baada ya yote, sisi tulizaliwa miongoni mwa wasio Waarabu, si Waarabu." "Majusi!" alilia. "Majusi! Majusi!" Kisha akaanguka ukutani akiwa amezimia.

“How could I do otherwise? If not for him we’d be Magians. After all, we were born among non-Arabs, not Arabs.” “Magians!” he cried. “Magians! Magians!” Then he fell against the wall in a faint.

[Mwandishi:] Nimekutana na simulizi hii katika chanzo kingine, ingawa huenda ikawa ni simulizi tofauti, yaani kwamba kulikuwa na ndoto mbili tofauti.

[The author:] I have encountered this story in another source, though it may actually be a different story, meaning that there were two different dreams.

[Al-Ḥarbī:] Niliona Aḥmad katika ndoto naye akaniuliza ninaandika nini. 92.37

[Al-Ḥarbī:] I saw Aḥmad in a dream and he asked me what I was writing. 92.37

"Dalili za Utume," nilimwambia.

“Proofs of Prophethood,” I told him.

"Kama si yule Nabii," alisema, "tungekuwa Wamajusi." [Lūlū:] Aḥmad alinitokea katika ndoto, nikamuuliza, "Je, wewe si umekufa?" 92.38

“If not for that Prophet,” he said, “we’d be Magians.” [Lūlū:] Aḥmad appeared to me in a dream and I asked him, “Aren’t you dead?” 92.38

“Mimi ni.” “Mungu alikushughulikiaje?” “Amenisamehe mimi na kila aliyeniombea.” “Lakini baadhi yao walikuwa wabunifu wa bid'a!” “Waliachwa hadi mwisho.” [Bundār:] Aḥmad alinitokea katika ndoto akionekana mwenye hasira. Nilimuuliza kwa nini. 92.39

“I am.” “How did God deal with you?” “He’s forgiven me and everyone who prayed over me.” “But some of them were innovators!” “They were left till the end.” [Bundār:] Aḥmad appeared to me in a dream looking angry. I asked him why. 92.39

“Ningewezaje kutokukasirika,” alijibu, “wakati Munkar na Nakīr walipokuja na kuniomba nitaje Mola wangu? ‘Je, mnajua mnamzungumzia nani?’ niliwauliza.

“How could I not be angry,” he replied, “when Munkar and Nakīr came and asked me to name my Lord. ‘Do you know who you’re talking to?’ I asked them.

"'Tunajua,' walisema. 'Lakini ni wajibu wetu kuuliza, basi tusamehe!'" [Al-Ṭalmakhūrī:] Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal alinitokea katika ndoto. 92.41

“‘We know,’ they said. ‘But it’s our duty to ask, so forgive us!’” [Al-Ṭalmakhūrī:] Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal appeared to me in a dream. 92.41

"Naweza kukuambia kitu chenye manufaa?" aliuliza.

“May I tell you something useful?” he asked.

"Ndiyo!" Alisema: "Kutoka kwenye tundu hadi kaburini."503

“Yes!” He said: “From the niche to the grave.”503

[Al-Zāghūnī:] Niliota ndoto ya kwenda kaburini kwa Aḥmad na kumwona amekaa juu yake. Alionekana kama mzee sana. 92.42

[Al-Zāghūnī:] I dreamed of going to Aḥmad’s tomb and seeing him sitting there on top of it. He looked like a very old man. 92.42

"Marafiki zetu wamekufa," alisema, "na washirika wetu ni wachache." Kisha akasema, "Kila mnapohitaji msaada, semeni, 'Mkuu wa kweli! Mkuu wa kweli, aliye mkuu kuliko wote wanaojiona kuwa wakuu!' Fanyeni hivyo, na dua zenu zitajibiwa." [Abū Bakr:] Mwaka mmoja, siku chache kabla ya Ramadhani, mvua kubwa ilinyesha. Baadaye, wakati wa Ramadhani, nililala usiku mmoja na nikaota kwamba nimekwenda kama kawaida kuzuru kaburi la Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal. Lakini lilikuwa limezama ardhini kiasi kwamba ni sāq tu ndiyo iliyoonekana.504

“Our friends are dead,” he said, “and our allies few.” Then he said, “Whenever you need help, say, ‘Great One! Great One, greater than all who think themselves great!’ Do that, and your prayers will be answered.” [Abū Bakr:] One year, a few days before Ramadan, we had heavy rains. Later, during Ramadan, I went to sleep one night and dreamed I had gone as usual to visit Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal’s tomb. But it had sunk so deep into the ground that only a sāq504

au wawili walibaki juu ya ardhi. 92.43

or two was left above ground. 92.43

"Lazima ni mvua ndiyo iliyofanya hivi," nilifikiri.

“It must be the rain that did this,” I thought.

"Hapana," alisema Aḥmad kutoka ndani ya kaburi. "Ilikuwa ni uwepo wa kutisha wa Mungu wa Kweli pekee, Mwenye nguvu na Mtukufu, ndio uliokuja kunitembelea. Nilimuuliza kwa nini alikuwa akija kila mwaka, naye akasema, 'Kwa sababu ulisimama kuutetea usemi Wangu, unaosomwa kwa sauti kutoka kila kona.'" Nilimwinamia kwenye shimo lake la kaburi ili kulibusu, kisha nikamwuliza, "Kwa nini kaburi lako ndilo pekee ambalo mtu anaweza kulibusu?" "Mwanangu," alisema, "si kwa heshima kwangu mimi, bali kwa heshima ya Mtume wa Mungu ﷺ. Nina baadhi ya nywele zake nami. Kwa nini wale wanaonijali hawaji kunitembelea katika Ramadhani?" Aliuliza swali hilo mara mbili.

“No,” said Aḥmad from inside the tomb. “It was the terrifying presence of the One True God, mighty and glorious, who came to visit me. I asked Him why He came every year, and He said, ‘Because you stood up for My speech, which is read aloud from every niche.’” I bent toward his grave-shaft to kiss it, then asked him, “Why is yours the only grave that one can kiss?” “Son,” he said, “it’s not out of respect for me, but for the Emissary of God. I have some of his hairs with me. Why don’t those who care for me come visit me in Ramadan?” He asked the question twice.