Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Ḥanbal Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Shaybānī (164–241 AH)

Founder of the Ḥanbalī school of Islamic jurisprudence and one of the most respected hadith scholars in Islamic history. He is best known for his monumental work al-Musnad, one of the largest hadith collections. Renowned for his unwavering stance during the Mihna (inquisition) and his commitment to preserving orthodox belief, Imām Aḥmad became a symbol of integrity and scholarly independence.