Founder’s Welcome

Welcome to Hanbali Disciples.

If you are reading this handbook, it means that you have taken a step onto the path of studying the sacred sciences through the Hanbali tradition. This path is one that generations of scholars and students have walked before us, seeking knowledge as a means of drawing nearer to Allah and serving His religion.

This handbook has been prepared to help guide you through your studies. Within its pages you will find an overview of the institute’s academic programs, expectations for students, and the structure through which courses are offered. It is intended to serve as a practical guide as you begin and continue your journey of learning.

I pray that your studies here are a source of benefit for you in this life and the next, and that Allah places barakah in your pursuit of knowledge.

Shaykh John Starling, III

Our Heritage

The Hanbali school of thought stands among the great Sunni traditions of law and creed, known for its devotion to revelation, sincerity in worship, and steadfast defense of the Sunnah. Its foundations were laid by Imām Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal (may Allah have mercy on him), a man whose life embodied scholarship, humility, and sacrifice in service of divine truth.

Al-Muwaffaq Ibn Qudāmah, in the introduction to al-Mughnī, wrote that Allah appointed among the early generations of this Ummah guiding Imams who paved the principles of Islam and clarified its difficult rulings. Their agreement is proof, and their disagreement is mercy. Hearts, he wrote, “are revived by hearing about their lives, and happiness is attained by following in their footsteps.” Among these Imams, Allah preserved the mention of a select few according to their rank and virtue, and among the highest of them stands Imām Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal.

The great scholars described him as unmatched in his mastery of ḥadīth, his knowledge of Qurʾānic exegesis, his asceticism, and his courage during the Mihnah (Inquisition). Ibn al-Jawzī and ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Badrān record that even Imām al-Shāfiʿī testified to Aḥmad’s superiority in the sciences of ḥadīth, saying, “You are more knowledgeable than I am in this field; when you find an authentic report, inform me so I may follow it.”

For his vast memorization, precision in narration, and unparalleled restraint from worldly gain, the jurists of Islam turned to his school for guidance. As Ibn al-Jawzī wrote, “Aḥmad combined what others could not: immense knowledge with profound scrupulousness.”

Though the Hanbali school produced countless luminaries across the centuries—from Ibn Qudāmah to Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Rajab, and al-Buhūtī—its followers often remained few.

Ibn ʿAqīl al-Baghdādī explained that the adherents of other schools often gained prominence through official appointments and judicial posts, while the Hanbalis, out of piety, turned toward worship and asceticism rather than worldly recognition.

About Hanbali Disciples

We are a worldwide community of adherents to the relied-upon Hanbali school of thought in both doctrine and law. Hanbali Disciples are heirs to a sacred tradition forged by generations of God-fearing masters over more than a thousand years.

We seek to deepen our awareness of Allah ﷻ, to worship Him with understanding and sincerity, and to map our spiritual journey toward the Hereafter. As Hanbali Disciples, we seek to preserve the sanctity of our faith for generations to come, safeguarding it from distortion, extremism, and innovation.

We honor this heritage by reviving a tradition rooted in evidence, illuminated by spirituality, and safeguarded by the sincerity of those who carried it. In studying their works, we aim not only to learn their rulings but to embody their reverence for Allah, their love for the Messenger ﷺ, and their humility before the truth.

Educational Vision and Mission

The educational vision of Hanbali Disciples is the flourishing of the Hanbali madhhab in the modern world through the preservation and faithful transmission of its intellectual and spiritual heritage.

The educational mission of Hanbali Disciples is to train students in the Hanbali madhhab through guided study of its creed, rich spiritual tradition, and the relied-upon legal positions of the later Hanbali jurists.

Educational Philosophy

Hanbali Disciples approaches the study of the Islamic sciences as a disciplined and gradual process rooted in the traditional methods of scholarly formation. Sacred knowledge has historically been transmitted through structured study of classical texts under the sustained guidance of qualified teachers. Hanbali Disciples seeks to preserve this model while making it accessible to students in contemporary learning environments.

Three principles guide this approach.

First, the Islamic sciences are best learned through engagement with the classical texts that shaped the scholarly tradition.

Second, meaningful learning requires gradual progression. Students begin with concise works that introduce the terminology and structure of a discipline before advancing to more detailed texts.

Third, the pursuit of sacred knowledge is inseparable from ethical and spiritual refinement. The study of the Islamic sciences is not merely an academic exercise but a form of devotion requiring sincerity, humility, and discipline.

Institutional Structure

The educational initiatives of Hanbali Disciples are currently organized through the Hanbali Disciples Institute (Maʿhad al-Ḥanābilah — معهد الحنابلة). The institute serves as the primary academic body through which courses, programs, and instructional activities are offered. Through this structure, students pursue the classical Islamic sciences in an organized program of study under teacher guidance.

The academic programs of the Hanbali Disciples Institute are organized as a structured pathway. These offerings include foundational programs, classical Arabic text study, and continuing education through individual course enrollment.

Foundational Studies

The foundational stage of study includes two primary programs: the Undergraduate Certificate in Hanbali Studies and the Diploma in Hanbali Studies.

Undergraduate Certificate in Hanbali Studies

Program Description

The Undergraduate Certificate in Hanbali Studies is the primary entry point for students seeking structured study at the Institute.

The program introduces the core disciplines of the Islamic sciences and is designed for students beginning their journey in sacred knowledge. No prior academic training is required.

Students who complete the certificate develop foundational literacy and are prepared to continue their studies in the Diploma in Hanbali Studies program.

Core Areas of Study

The certificate program introduces the following foundational disciplines:

• Hanbali Creed (ʿAqīdah)

• Hanbali Jurisprudence (Fiqh)

• Spiritual Wayfaring (Sulūk)

• Prophetic Biography (Sīrah)

Curriculum

Students complete the following courses of study.

ʿAqīdah

Lumʿat al-Iʿtiqād al-Hādī ilā Sabīl al-Rashād

Author: Imām Ibn Qudāmah

Students who successfully complete this course may receive sanad in the text.

Fiqh

Bidāyat al-ʿĀbid wa Kifāyat al-Zāhid

Author: ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Baʿlī

Students who successfully complete this course may receive sanad in the text.

Sulūk

Miftāḥ al-Ṭarīq ilā Sulūk al-Taḥqīq

Author: Aḥmad ibn Ibrāhīm al-Wāsiṭī

Sīrah

al-Tuḥfah al-Ẓarīfah fī al-Sīrah al-Sharīfah

Author: Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-Buhūtī al-Khalwatī

Estimated Duration

The Undergraduate Certificate in Hanbali Studies is designed to be completed over one year of part-time study.

Diploma in Hanbali Studies

Program Description

The Diploma in Hanbali Studies continues the program of study introduced in the Undergraduate Certificate program. Through guided study of more advanced texts and additional disciplines, students deepen their engagement with the Islamic sciences and further develop their ability to read and understand classical works.

Core Areas of Study

The diploma program expands the range of disciplines introduced in the certificate and includes:

• Hanbali Creed (ʿAqīdah)

• Hanbali Jurisprudence (Fiqh)

• Spiritual Wayfaring (Sulūk)

• Prophetic Biography (Sīrah)

• Qurʾānic Exegesis (Tafsīr)

• Legal Theory (Uṣūl al-Fiqh)

• Islamic Ethics (Adab)

Curriculum

Students complete the following courses of study.

ʿAqīdah

Qalāʾid al-ʿIqyān

Author: Ibn Balbān

Students who successfully complete this course may receive sanad in the text.

Fiqh

Mukhtaṣar al-Ifādāt

Author: Ibn Balbān

Sulūk

Ṭarīq al-Muḥibbīn

Author: Aḥmad ibn Ibrāhīm al-Wāsiṭī

Sīrah

Mukhtaṣar Sīrat al-Nabī ﷺ

Author: ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-Maqdisī

Students who successfully complete this course may receive sanad in the text.

Tafsīr

Fatḥ al-Raḥmān fī Tafsīr al-Qurʾān

Author: Mujīr al-Dīn al-ʿUlaymī

Coverage: Juzʾ ʿAmma

Uṣūl al-Fiqh

al-Waraqāt

Author: Imām al-Juwaynī

This text is studied alongside Hanbali marginalia and commentary traditions.

Adab

Selected chapters from Mukhtaṣar al-Ifādāt

Author: Ibn Balbān

Estimated Duration

Approximately two years of part-time study, depending on course scheduling and student pacing.

Continuing Education

Individual Course Enrollment

Students may enroll in individual courses without committing to a full program of study. Those who successfully complete a course receive a Certificate of Completion, or sanad when authorization is granted for a particular text. All students remain subject to the same academic standards.

Academic Standards and Course Completion

Students must achieve a minimum score of 80 percent to complete a course. Students who do not meet this standard may retake the course in a future offering.

Midterm requirements must be completed by the designated midterm week. Failure to do so may result in withdrawal from the course.

Extensions may be granted in cases of extenuating circumstances.

Course Structure

Courses are delivered through recorded lectures, live online sessions, or a combination of both. Instruction centers on guided reading of assigned texts with explanation of terminology and key concepts.

Courses may include quizzes, discussion forums, midterm and final examinations, and occasional written assignments or reading exercises.

Students are expected to review lessons regularly, participate in course discussions, and complete required assessments according to the course schedule.

The Hanbali Disciples Institute operates on an open enrollment model. Students may enroll in courses associated with the Undergraduate Certificate in Hanbali Studies or the Diploma in Hanbali Studies without prior formal training in Islamic studies.

Most courses do not require formal prerequisites. However, a recommended sequence of study is provided since certain texts build upon earlier works. For example, students are encouraged to study Bidāyat al-ʿĀbid before Mukhtaṣar al-Ifādāt, Lumʿat al-Iʿtiqād before Qalāʾid al-ʿIqyān, and Miftāḥ al-Ṭarīq before Ṭarīq al-Muḥibbīn.

Students may also enroll in individual courses without committing to a full program of study. Courses successfully completed through individual enrollment may later be applied toward the requirements of the certificate or diploma programs, provided the courses meet the Institute’s academic standards.

Enrollment Process

Enrollment follows a two-step process consisting of registration and course enrollment.

Students first register for the course of their choice through the Hanbali Disciples website. Upon registration, individuals are recognized as students of the Hanbali Disciples Institute and become part of the Institute’s learning community.

After registration, students receive email instructions explaining how to finalize enrollment and join the Institute’s online learning platform.

Course materials, recorded lessons, announcements, and assignments are accessed through the Institute’s online learning platform.

Students are encouraged to complete the enrollment steps promptly in order to ensure timely access to the course.

Tuition and Fees

Hanbali Disciples seeks to make the study of the Islamic sciences accessible to a wide range of students. Many courses therefore operate on a pay-what-you-can contribution model.

Students are expected to contribute according to their ability in support of the Institute and its educational programs. Contributions made through this model are treated as supportive donations to the Institute and are not refundable.

As the Institute grows, certain programs or courses may adopt a structured tuition model. Any course fees or tuition requirements will be clearly indicated at the time of registration through the Institute’s website.

Undergraduate Certificate in Hanbali Studies

Students who successfully complete the curriculum of the Undergraduate Certificate in Hanbali Studies and meet the Institute’s academic standards are awarded the certificate by Hanbali Disciples Institute.

The certificate recognizes completion of the foundational program of study and engagement with the core disciplines of the Islamic sciences through guided study of the program’s texts.

Diploma in Hanbali Studies

Students who successfully complete the curriculum of the Diploma in Hanbali Studies and meet the Institute’s academic standards are awarded the diploma by Hanbali Disciples Institute.

The diploma recognizes sustained study across multiple disciplines and engagement with a broader range of classical texts.

Because the diploma builds upon the certificate program, the Undergraduate Certificate must be completed before the diploma is awarded.

Sanad Authorization

In certain courses, students may receive sanad for the text studied.

A sanad represents a chain of scholarly transmission connecting students to the teachers who conveyed a work across generations. It serves as a record of participation in that tradition of learning and a means of tabarruk (seeking blessing) through connection to the chain of scholars.

The granting of sanad acknowledges completion of a text under teacher guidance. It does not constitute a license to teach independently or a claim to scholarly authority.

Transcripts

Hanbali Disciples maintains academic records for students who complete coursework through the Institute. Upon completion of a certificate or diploma program, students may request an official transcript documenting the courses completed and grades.

These transcripts provide a record of academic study within the programs of Hanbali Disciples and may serve as documentation of coursework for students pursuing further educational opportunities.

Accreditation

Hanbali Disciples is not currently accredited by a secular or interfaith theological accrediting body.

Accreditation systems in North America are typically designed for liberal arts colleges or seminaries operating within Christian or Jewish theological frameworks. Because Hanbali Disciples is devoted specifically to the study and transmission of the Islamic sciences within the Hanbali scholarly tradition, its educational model does not align with the structures upon which those accrediting systems are based.

For this reason, Hanbali Disciples does not presently seek accreditation through such bodies. Instead, the Institute maintains academic standards through its curriculum, teacher-guided study of classical texts, and the traditional scholarly practice of textual transmission and sanad.

As institutional frameworks for Muslim theological education continue to develop in North America, Hanbali Disciples remains open to forms of recognition that appropriately reflect the nature of the Islamic scholarly tradition.

The study of the Islamic sciences has historically been accompanied by a strong emphasis on adab—the ethical and spiritual discipline that governs the pursuit of sacred knowledge. Hanbali Disciples seeks to preserve this tradition by cultivating a learning environment characterized by reverence, humility, and mutual respect.

Students enrolled in courses at Hanbali Disciples are therefore expected to uphold standards of conduct that reflect the dignity of the knowledge being studied and the scholarly tradition through which it has been transmitted.

Respect and Reverence for Teachers

Instructors at Hanbali Disciples are to be addressed as Shaykh, reflecting the traditional etiquette of seeking knowledge from teachers.

Students are encouraged to approach their instructors with humility, gratitude, and sincere intention to learn. Questions should be asked in a spirit of inquiry and clarification rather than argument or debate.

Students are also encouraged to remember their teachers in duʿāʾ, following the longstanding practice of scholars and students within the Islamic tradition.

Courtesy Toward Assistant Instructors and Teaching Assistants

Assistant Instructors and Teaching Assistants play an important role in supporting the learning environment and assisting students throughout the course.

They should be addressed respectfully as Ustadh and treated with the same courtesy shown to the primary instructor. Demanding or dismissive behavior toward teaching staff is not appropriate within the learning environment.

Adab in Communication

All communication within the learning environment should reflect courtesy, clarity, and professionalism.

Students are encouraged to begin written communication with greetings of peace (salām) and expressions of gratitude.

Messages and discussion posts should be written thoughtfully and respectfully. Students should avoid sarcasm, harsh criticism, or public shaming of others.

Clear writing, proper grammar, and thoughtful expression help maintain a serious and respectful academic environment.

Conduct with Fellow Students

Students are expected to interact with their peers in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.

Discussion forums, group activities, and classroom interactions should reflect kindness, patience, and sincerity. Differences of opinion should be expressed respectfully without mockery or belittlement.

Students should avoid polemical debates and remain focused on the learning objectives of the course.

Sincerity and Responsibility in Study

Students are encouraged to regularly renew their intention (niyyah) and to pursue knowledge for the sake of Allah rather than for recognition or argumentation.

Consistent participation, punctuality, and responsible completion of coursework are essential to successful study. Students should strive for iḥsān in their work and take responsibility for their own learning.

Where possible, students are encouraged to support and assist their fellow learners in the shared pursuit of knowledge.

Maintaining the Learning Environment

The educational environment of Hanbali Disciples is intended to reflect the dignity and discipline of the Islamic scholarly tradition. Students who repeatedly disregard these guidelines or engage in behavior that disrupts the learning environment may be withdrawn from a course or excused from the program.

Communication with Instructors

Students communicate with instructors and teaching assistants primarily through the institute’s online learning platform. Questions regarding course material, assignments, or lesson clarification should normally be directed through this platform.

Course Telegram groups may also be used for announcements and general communication. Students are expected to use all communication channels respectfully and in accordance with the conduct guidelines outlined in this handbook.

Student Services and Administrative Support

Administrative support assists with course enrollment, platform access, and general student inquiries.

Students may contact student services through the course Telegram group or by email:

support@hanbalidisciples.com

Clear and respectful communication is expected when requesting assistance.

Student and Alumni Community

Enrolled students participate in official Telegram groups where course updates, announcements, and discussions take place.

Students who complete courses are invited to join the Hanbali Disciples Alumni Telegram group, allowing them to remain connected with fellow students and continue benefiting from institute updates and scholarly activities.

Email Communications

Students and members of the broader community may receive announcements through the official Hanbali Disciples email list, including updates on courses, institutional developments, and other educational initiatives.

Subscription is available through the institute website: hanbalidisciples.com

Volunteer Opportunities

Students and community members may periodically assist with educational, administrative, or digital initiatives supporting the institute’s work.

Volunteer opportunities are announced through the institute’s student communication channels.

Institutional Development

Hanbali Disciples began as a small educational initiative offering individual courses and online resources devoted to the Hanbali tradition. Over time, this effort developed into a structured institute providing organized programs of study in the Islamic sciences.

While the traditional model of Islamic learning has long centered on the study of texts under qualified teachers, Hanbali Disciples also recognizes the importance of clear academic pathways and recognizable credentials in the modern educational environment. The Institute therefore seeks to present traditional scholarship within an organized framework that allows students to pursue their studies systematically while receiving formal certification for their efforts.

Through this approach, Hanbali Disciples aims to support both faithful transmission of the tradition and meaningful academic development for students serving their communities.

Development of Arabic Text Studies

Serious engagement with the classical Islamic sciences ultimately requires familiarity with the Arabic language in which their foundational texts were written. For this reason, the development of an Arabic text studies program has long been a goal of Hanbali Disciples.

Following the identification of this need within the Institute’s curriculum, the program is now being developed and gradually implemented. Initial instruction is currently offered in a limited setting, with plans for broader availability as the curriculum continues to expand.

The program is intended to prepare students to engage the classical texts of the Islamic sciences directly in their original language.

Future Development: Graduate Institute for Hanbali Studies

As Hanbali Disciples continues to grow, the long-term vision of the institution includes the establishment of the Graduate Institute for Hanbali Studies.

The Graduate Institute is envisioned as the advanced academic arm of Hanbali Disciples, providing opportunities for deeper scholarly specialization in the Hanbali tradition. Planned programs include:

• Graduate Certificate in Hanbali Studies

• Master of Arts in Hanbali Studies

These programs will serve students who have completed foundational training and wish to pursue sustained engagement with the major texts, intellectual history, and scholarly methods of the Hanbali school.

Institutional Registration

Hanbali Disciples, Inc. is a nonprofit religious and educational organization formally recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

With its legal and organizational structure now established, the Institute operates as a structured educational body dedicated to the study and transmission of Islamic knowledge within the Hanbali tradition.

As part of its continued institutional development, Hanbali Disciples is in the process of pursuing religious exemption from licensure in the State of North Carolina. This will allow the Institute to formally issue academic degrees within its field of specialization, limited to religious disciplines.

Long-Term Vision

Looking further into the future, Hanbali Disciples may eventually pursue the development of a full undergraduate seminary program. Such a program would represent a later stage in growth and would be developed gradually as its academic programs, faculty resources, and institutional capacity continue to mature.

The study of the Islamic sciences has long been a path of devotion, discipline, and service to the Muslim community. Through the preservation and transmission of knowledge, generations of scholars carried the teachings of Islam across centuries, linking students and teachers in a shared pursuit of truth and worship of Allah.

Hanbali Disciples seeks to participate in this tradition by providing a structured environment in which students engage the classical sciences through the intellectual and spiritual heritage of the Hanbali madhhab. Students are encouraged to pursue their studies with sincerity, patience, and reverence for the knowledge they seek.

May Allah grant success to all who seek knowledge for His sake, increase them in understanding, and make their efforts a source of benefit for themselves and for the wider Muslim community.