The Curious Story of the Imam and the Baker: Dhikr, Hospitality, and Humility

During his old age, Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, the renowned scholar of Islam and a famous theologian, was travelling when he stopped by a town. After salah, he wanted to stay for the night in the mosque. Out of humility, he didn’t introduce himself to anyone – he did not want the recognition and adulation that would come with people knowing he was a ‘renowned scholar’. Bearing in mind, these were the days before social media and TV and billboard posters, so people knew of great or notorious individuals from afar without ever knowing what they looked like. So to those in this particular town, Imam Ahmad was just ‘another man’.

Failing to recognise Imam Ahmed, the caretaker of the mosque refused to let him stay there for the night, and ordered him to leave. So, with nowhere else to go, Imam Ahmad made preparations to sleep on the street. A baker, whose shop was nearby, watched this scene play out and took pity on Imam Ahmed – of course, without knowing who he was. He invited the Imam to stay at his bakery for the night. Imam Ahmad agreed.

While the Imam rested, his host remained busy throughout the night preparing bread to sell in the morning. Imam Ahmed watched as the baker mixed and kneaded the dough, tended the fire, and pulled hot loaves from the oven, all the while uttering remembrances of Allah and Istighfar (asking for Allah’s forgiveness).

In the morning, the Imam eagerly asked his host about his continual dhikr and istighfar. The baker told him it had become like second nature, a habit and practice that he had been doing for many years. Imam Ahmad then asked whether the man had experienced any reward from this practice. The baker answered:

“By Allah! There is not a single dua that I made except that it was answered – all apart from one.”

When Ibn Hanbal asked what that unanswered prayer was, the baker responded:

“To see the famed Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal!”

At this, tears came to the Imam’s eyes and he told the baker:

“I am Ahmed ibn Hanbal! By Allah! I was brought to your place so that you can have your wish come true.”

SubhanAllah!

There are many beautiful lessons from this story.

First, is the power of dhikr and istighfar – it opens doors to blessings and is a means for your du’as to be answered.

Second, there is a connection between the baker’s remembrance of Allah and his service to others – his dhikr didn’t prevent him from fulfilling his (halal) job; and crucially, that dhikr softened his heart so that he was not only mindful of Allah but also mindful of the needs of others.

Third, a general lesson is the profound importance of hospitality, even to strangers – those guests bring with them great blessings, and we should never turn them away.

Fourth, Allah is Al-Lateef! The One who is Subtle in His plans, and Sensitive to people’s unspoken hopes and dreams. Something that at first seemed negative (being refused by the mosque) ended up being the means by which something positive could happen for both the Imam and the baker.

And finally, we learn about the humility of Imam Ahmed – he could easily have utilised his fame to his advantage! He only needed to tell the mosque caretaker, or anyone for that matter, who he was and he would have received the best hospitality imaginable. But instead, he refused to turn his knowledge into a privilege. He refused to have an advantage above other people simply due to his fame, and was willing to be treated the same as everyone else. A further testament to his lack of ego was the way he observed the baker while he worked through the night – the great Imam Ahmed was open to learning from others who were not as learned as him, and realised that truth and wisdom is often preserved and passed down by those who have no name. He constantly sought to learn, even from a humble baker.

We can always learn from others, no matter who they are.