ABSTRACT
Ahl-i Haqq (Pers.) Literally, 'People of the True One', i.e. People of God. The phrase is used to refer to a religious group in Western Persia. The dogmas of their religion are highly syncretic as well as mysterious. Although they appear to have points in common with the Ismā'īlīs (q.v.), they revere twelve Imams. (See Imām; Ithnā 'Asharīs.)
Ahmad b. Hanbal (164/780-241/855) One of the most dis tinguished mediaeval jurists and theologians in Islam. He founded the Hanbalī School of Islamic Law. Because he refused to agree that the Qur'ān was created (as opposed to the mainstream view that it was uncreated), he was imprisoned and persecuted during the Mu'tazilite inquisition (mihna (q.v.)). He became an inspiration for Ibn Taymiyya (q.v.) after him and, indeed, for the later Wahhābi movement as well. Ahmad b. Hanbal's most important work was his tradition collection called the Musnad. (See Hadīth; Hanbalīs; Istawā; Mu'tazila; Wahhābs.)
Ahmadiyya (1) A religious movement founded in 1306/1889 by Mīrzā Ghulām Ahmad of Qādiyān (1251/1835-1326/1908).
