We Destroy and Rebuild

One of the students of Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal narrates:

We were in the presence of Ahmad bin Hanbal when a person asked: O Aba Abdillah! What is your opinion about the hadíth which says that Ali stated: I am the distributor of hell?

Ibn Hanbal replied: From what aspect do you doubt its credence? Has it not been related that the Prophet told Ali : None will love you but the faithful believer and none will hate you but the hypocrite?

We said: Yes.
He asked: Where is the place of the faithful believer?
In paradise, we answered.
He asked: Where is the place of the hypocrite?
In hell, we replied.
He said: Ali is thus the distributor of hell.

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