115 - 'Abd al-Malik ibn 'Abd al-Hamid informed me, saying: I copied a letter from Ahmad ibn Hanbal to 'Ali ibn al-Madini before it was publicly released. Its address was: 'To Abu al-Hasan 'Ali ibn 'Abd Allah, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal.' Inside it, it read: 'To Abu al-Hasan 'Ali ibn 'Abd Allah, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad: Peace be upon you. I praise to you Allah, than whom there is no god but He. To proceed: May Allah grant you excellence in all matters, and may He preserve you and us from all evil by His mercy. I write to you while I and those I care for are in manifest blessings from Allah. I ask Him for the strength to properly thank Him for that, for He is the guardian of every blessing. I write to you—may Allah have mercy on you—regarding a matter that may have reached you concerning this Khurrami who has burdened Islam with what he has wrought, including the killing of offspring, and other such acts, the violation of sanctity, and the enslavement of women. Some of your brothers spoke to me about writing to you in the hope of the benefit that might come from those in your presence, among those who have the intention to rise to the people of Ardabil and defend them and their protected ones, from among those you believe will accept that from you. So if you see fit—may Allah have mercy on you—for those in your presence whom you believe would accept that from you, [then do so], for they are on the brink of ruin, destruction, and fear from this oppressive enemy. May Allah suffice for you and us in every momentous concern. And peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.' And he wrote...