1066 - 'Abd al-Malik ibn 'Abd al-Hamid informed me that he asked Abu 'Abd Allah [Ahmad ibn Hanbal] about his statement and his view regarding [saying]: "A believer, if Allah wills"? He replied: "I say: I am a believer, if Allah wills, and I am a believer, I hope; because it is not known how one's performance of deeds [will be] in regards to what has been made obligatory upon him, or otherwise."
