1065 - Muhammad ibn Abi Harun informed me that Ishaq narrated to them, saying: I heard Abu 'Abd Allah [Ahmad ibn Hanbal] saying: "Go to the hadith of Ibn Mas'ud regarding making an exception (istithna') in faith, because faith is speech and action is the deed. We have brought the speech, but we fear that we have been negligent in the action, so it pleases me that we make an exception in faith, saying: I am a believer, if Allah wills." He said: And I heard Abu 'Abd Allah when he was asked about the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): "And we, if Allah wills, shall surely join you," [asking]: "Upon what does the exception (istithna') here pertain?" He replied: "Upon the places [of burial]; he does not know whether he will be buried in the spot that they are in, or elsewhere."