Salafus-Saaliheen سلف صالحين

Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal Rahimahullaah
Pg 91-93
Ibn Abee Ya’laa Reports in his Tabaqaatul –Hanaabilah,2 1/163-167,

From Sulaymaan Ibn ‘Abdullaah as Sijzee(who said), I came to the door of Al Mu’tasim and saw that the people had crowded together at his door, as if it was day of ‘Eed. I entered the place and saw a spread out carpet and chair that had been thrown on the floor. I stood facing the chair and whilst I was standing, al Mu’tasim approached me and sat on the chair. He removed his shoes from his feet and placed one foot on top of the other. Then he said. ‘Let Ahmad be present,’ so he was brought out in his presence. After Imaam Ahmed stood in front of him and greeted him (al Mu;tasim) said,’O Ahmad speak and do not be afraid. ‘So Imaam Ahmad said, By Allaah , O Ameerul Mu’mineen I have just entered upon you and there is no a seed weight of anxiety in my heart.”

Al Mu’tasim said to him, ‘What do you say about Qur’aan?’
He said, “the speech of Allaah , eternal , not created .Allaah , the Mighty and Majestic said:

سُوۡرَةُ التّوبَة

وَإِنۡ أَحَدٌ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ ٱسۡتَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرۡهُ حَتَّىٰ يَسۡمَعَ كَلَـٰمَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ أَبۡلِغۡهُ مَأۡمَنَهُ ۥ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ بِأَنَّہُمۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ لَّا يَعۡلَمُونَ (٦)

And if anyone of the Mushrikûn (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh) seeks your protection then grant him protection, so that he may hear the Word of Allâh (the Qur'ân), and then escort him to where he can be secure, that is because they are men who know not. (6)
So he said, do you have a proof other than this?’

Imaam Ahmad replied,’ Yes O Ameerul-Mu’mineen, The saying of Allaah , the Mighty and Majestic

سُوۡرَةُ الرَّحمٰنۡ
ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ (١) عَلَّمَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ (٢

The Most Gracious (Allâh)! (1) He has taught (you mankind) the Qur'ân (by His Mercy). (2)
And He did not say ‘Ar Rahmaan.He Created the Qur’aan.’ And His saying,the Mighty and Majestic
سُوۡرَةُ یسٓ
يسٓ (١) وَٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ ٱلۡحَكِيمِ (٢)

Yâ-Sîn. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings.] (1) By the Qur'ân, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs), (2)

He did not say:Yaa’seen. By the Qur’aan (that is) created.’
So Al Mu’tasim said, ‘Imprison him.’ So he was imprisoned and the people dispersed.
When I arose (the next morning) I made my way to the door (of al Mu’tasim)and the people were entering, so I entered along with them .Al Mu’tasim approached and sat on the chair and said ,Bring Ahmad ibn Hanbal,’ and so he was brought . When he stood in from of him, Al Mu’tasim said to him, ‘How were you in your cell yesterday, O Ahmad?’

Imaam Ahmad said, ‘In goodness and all praise are due to Allaah, except that in my cell, Omeerul Mu’mineen, I saw something amazing.” He said to him, ‘And what did you see?’ So he replied, I arose in the middle of the night, performed ablution for the prayers and prayed two rak’ahs.In one rak’ah;Alhamdulillaah…’ and Qul A’oodhu bi Rabbin-Naas,’and the second rak’ah; Alhamdulillaah…and ‘Qul A’oodhu bi-Rabbil-Falaq.’Then I sat down and read tashahhud and gave salutation ( to my right and to my left).then I stood (again) made the takbeer and recited:’Alhamdulillaah…’ and desired to read :Qul- Huwallaahu –Ahad,’and I was not able. I tried hard to read something else from the Qur’aan and I was not able. Then I stretched my eyes to the corner of the prison and (behold) I saw the Qur’aan laid out (on the floor), dead. So I washed it and shrouded it, then prayed over it and buried it.”

So Al Mu’tasim said, Woe to you, O Ahmad, and does the Qur’aan die!” So Ahmad said to him, well that is what you say-that it is created. And everything that is created dies.” Al Mu’tasim said, Ahmad has Subdued us, Ahmad has subdued us.’