103 - Abu Bakr al-Marrudhi informed us, saying: I saw Abu Abd Allah [Ahmad ibn Hanbal] in a dream during the time of the tribulation (fitna), and I said: 'O Abu Abd Allah, how much our companions are in need of knowing your position! What do you say regarding the tribulation?' He replied: 'Our position is [to follow] the Hadith of Abu Dharr.' I said: 'What if he enters my sanctuary?' He then said something I did not understand.