All praises to Allah.and peace be upon His Messenger.
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, رحمه الله تعالى, once was traveling and needed to stay somewhere overnight. When he went to the masjid, the guard (not recognizing Imam Ahmad) denied him entrance.
Imam Ahmad tried numerous times, but the guard did not accept his requests. Frustrated, Imam Ahmed resolved to spend the night in the masjid yard. The guard became furious and dragged him away, despite the old age and frailty of Imam Ahmad.
A baker, whose shop was nearby, watched this scene and took pity on the Imam (also not recognizing Imam Ahmad). He invited the Imam to stay with him for the night. He set up a place for Imam Ahmad to sleep and then continue to do his work in the bakery. While he was there, Imam Ahmad noticed that the baker continuously made zikr while working. He was doing that throughout the night, praising Allah repeatedly.and tirelessly.
In the morning, the Imam eagerly asked his host:
"Who are you my brother?"
The baker replied: "What do you mean? I am just a baker."
Imam Ahmad then asked: "I saw you were doing zikr the whole night, how long have you been doing that for?"
The baker said it had become like second nature, so Imam Ahmed asked whether the man had experienced any reward from this practice.
The baker answered, ‘By Allah! No du’aa have I made except that it was answered – But one.’
‘And what is that one du'aa that Allah hasnt answer you?’ asked Imam Ahmed.
The baker replied,
‘To be able to see the famed Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal!’
Imam Ahmed interjected, ‘I am Ahmed ibn Hanbal!’ He then went on to add: By Allah! I was dragged to your place so that you can have your duaa/wish come true!
subhanallahi wabihamdihi subhanallahil'azim
wallahualam
source: one of the talk in AAIC/Twins of Faith Melbourne 2012
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