Did Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal consider anyone who claimed the Qur’an was created to be a disbeliever?

The Holy Quran is the uncreated word of Allah Almighty. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal and the majority of the Salaf, including the Tabi'in and their successors, held that whoever claims the Quran is created is a disbeliever (kafir). This is because asserting the Quran is created denies one of Allah Almighty's attributes, and whoever denies an attribute of Allah Almighty is a disbeliever.

However, this generic pronouncement of disbelief does not necessitate declaring a specific individual a disbeliever unless proof (hujja) has been established, the conditions for declaring someone a disbeliever are met, and there are no impediments to doing so.