Abstract
In this study, the position of Ahmad b. Hanbal is examined in the classical tasawwuf works. The ideas of early sufis are featured in these classical works of tasawwuf. Besides this, the views of the well-known ulama in the history of Islamic thought were touched on from time to time. There are also the founders of fiqh (jurisprudence) schools among the ulama in question and even these names were mentioned among sufi personalities. One of them is Ahmad b. Hanbal, who is the founder of Hanbali School. The aim of this study is to determine the position of Ahmad b. Hanbal in early period classical works of tasawwuf. In this study, the classical tasawwuf works which include and do not include Ahmad b. Hanbal were evaluated and then his piety, his fiqh aspect and his approach to tasawwuf subjects are revealed. Document analysis was used and scattered pieces of information was gathered from various sources and interpreted in this research. The scope of this study is limited to the classical works of tasawwuf such as al-Luma’, at-Ta’arruf, Qût al-qulûb, Hilyat al-awliya, Tabaqat al-sufiyya, ar-Risâla al-Qushayriyya, Kashf al-mahjûb, and Ihya ulum al-din. Ultimately, the opinions of Ahmad ibn Hanbal were appreciated in classical tasawwuf works and his religious life has been cited as an example. In addition, it was understood that his attitude in mihna period was also praised by the sufis.