The Formation of Hanbalism

{ "title": "# The Formation of Hanbalism: A Deep Dive with Nimrod Hurvitz", "sections": [ { "title": "Section 1: Introduction - Setting the Stage for Hanbalism", "content": "Nimrod Hurvitz's \"The Formation of Hanbalism\" explores the origins of a major Islamic legal school, centered on its founder, Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (c. 780-855 CE). The book argues that understanding Hanbalism requires understanding Ibn Hanbal's life within the turbulent historical context of the 9th-century Abbasid Caliphate. This era was marked by intense political and religious pressure, particularly the 'Mihna' (Inquisition), where rulers sought to standardize religious doctrine. Hurvitz posits that Ibn Hanbal's personal struggles and intellectual contributions became inseparable from the political and theological battles of his time, demonstrating how an individual's