al-Imam Ahmad’s Fear of Allaah
Al-Murrudi’ reported that he asked al-Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal:
“How are you today?”
He replied:
“How can I be while I am required by my Lord to perform obligatory acts of worship;
By my Prophet to practise his Sunnah;
By the two angels to improve my deeds;
And my soul urges me to follow it;
Shaytan pushes me to commit evil deeds;
The angel of Death is waiting to take my life;
And my children are asking me to provide for them.”
(Siyar a’laam an-Nubalaa of al-Imaam adh-Dhahabee)