Stuck In Time

Don’t be stuck in Time – أحمد بن حنبل

A man asked Imam Ahmad about the conflict that happened between Ali and Mu’awiyah.
He turned away from him.
Then he turned his face back to him and said:
“Recite [the Qur’anic verse]:

“That nation has passed away.
They have what they deserve,
And you will have what you deserve.
And you will not be questioned about what they did.”
[Qur’an 2:134].

وسأل رجل الإمام أحمد بن حنبل عما جرى بين علي ومعاوية ؟ فأعرض عنه ، فقيل له : يا أبا عبد الله ، هو رجل من بني هاشم ، فأقبل عليه فقال : اقرأ : تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُمْ مَا كَسَبْتُمْ وَلا تُسْأَلونَ عَمَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

[“Manaqib al-Imam Ahmad”, p. 126].

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Some people are frozen in time.
In the 21st century, they waste time debating historic conflicts that happened 1,000+ years ago.
There is no benefit in any of that.