Bidāyat al-ʿĀbid wa Kifāyat al-Zāhid

Bidāyat al-ʿĀbid wa Kifāyat al-Zāhid by ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Baʿlī al-Ḥanbalī (d. 1192 AH / 1778 CE) is a foundational manual in Ḥanbalī jurisprudence focused exclusively on acts of worship. Clear, structured, and suitable for beginners, the book introduces essential rulings on purification, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, pilgrimage, funerals, and jihād.

Its title, “Commencement of the Worshiper & Sufficiency of the Ascetic,” reflects its dual aim: to serve as both an initial step for the committed devotee and a sufficient guide for the spiritually focused. This course equips students with reliable knowledge of core religious duties while fostering an inward orientation of sincerity and spiritual purpose.

Students are expected to read passages, review course recording, pariticpate in class discussion, and pass a midterm and final exam.

Those who pass with at least an 80% average for the course will be awarded a sanad/chain of transmission to the author of the book.