Founder’s WelcomeWelcome 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, IIIOur HeritageThe 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 DisciplesHanbali Disciples Institute of North Carolina (HDINC) is a religious educational institute dedicated to the study, preservation, and transmission of Sunni Islamic disciplines through the scholarly tradition of the Hanbali madhhab. The institute exists for devotional, theological, educational, and religious vocational purposes rooted in the classical traditions of Sunni Islam. Rooted in more than a thousand years of scholarship, devotion, and spiritual refinement, the institute seeks to preserve a sacred inheritance carried by generations of God-fearing scholars, worshippers, jurists, theologians, and spiritual guides.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. At HDINC, 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 and teachings, but to embody their reverence for Allah ﷻ, their love for the Messenger ﷺ, and their humility before the truth.Educational Vision and MissionThe educational vision of HDINC is the flourishing of the Hanbali madhhab in the modern world through the preservation and faithful transmission of its intellectual, devotional, and spiritual heritage.The educational mission of HDINC is to train students in the Hanbali madhhab through guided study of its creed, spiritual tradition, and the relied-upon juristic and doctrinal positions of the later Hanbali scholars.Educational PhilosophyHDINC approaches the study of the Islamic disciplines as a gradual process rooted in the traditional methods of scholarly formation. Sacred knowledge has historically been transmitted through structured engagement with classical texts under the sustained guidance of qualified teachers. HDINC seeks to preserve this model while making it accessible to students in contemporary learning environments.Three principles guide this educational approach.First, the Islamic disciplines are best learned through engagement with the classical texts that shaped the scholarly tradition. These works preserve not only religious knowledge, but also the methodology, language, ethics, and spiritual orientation of the scholars who carried the tradition across the centuries.Second, meaningful learning requires gradual progression. Students begin with concise works that introduce the terminology and structure of a discipline before moving to more detailed and advanced texts. This gradual progression reflects the traditional methods through which scholars historically cultivated understanding, discipline, and mastery.Third, the pursuit of sacred knowledge is inseparable from ethical and spiritual refinement. The study of the Islamic disciplines is not merely an academic exercise, but a form of devotion requiring sincerity, humility, discipline, and reverence for divine revelation.

Madrasah Certificate ProgramThe Madrasah Certificate Program is designed for students seeking a structured foundational course of study within the Hanbali scholarly tradition. Students begin with a required course in the manners of seeking sacred knowledge and then undertake guided study in fiqh, ʿaqīdah, sīrah, and sulūk, developing familiarity with the foundational teachings, terminology, and texts of each discipline.Students who successfully complete all requirements of the Madrasah Certificate Program are awarded the Undergraduate Certificate in Hanbali Studies by Hanbali Disciples Institute of North Carolina (HDINC).Program StructureThe Madrasah Certificate Program combines a required self-paced prerequisite with four structured, cohort-based courses offered in a continuing rotation.Required Prerequisite: Ādāb al-ʿIlmAll students must successfully complete Ādāb al-ʿIlm before beginning any other course offered through the Institute. The course establishes the manners, responsibilities, and habits expected of students of sacred knowledge and serves as the common prerequisite for study at HDINC.Unlike the Institute’s other courses, Ādāb al-ʿIlm is fully self-paced and remains continuously available. The course consists of five lessons, each followed by a mastery quiz. Students must answer all questions correctly before progressing to the next lesson. The course does not include written assignments, discussion assignments, a midterm examination, or a final examination.Students may complete the course as quickly as their preparation allows or proceed through the lessons over a longer period. Successful completion is required before beginning any other HDINC course.Certificate Course RotationAfter completing Ādāb al-ʿIlm, students may enter the Certificate course rotation with the next available course. Each Certificate course has a defined start and end date, and students progress through the course together as a cohort.Recorded lessons and assigned coursework are released weekly. Live online sessions are held twice each month and are led by the instructor. These sessions provide opportunities to discuss relevant material, address student questions, and cultivate a sense of scholarly community among the student body.Student progress is monitored throughout each course by the instructor and assistant instructors. Coursework ordinarily includes weekly written assignments, group discussion assignments, a midterm multiple-choice examination, and a final multiple-choice examination.The recommended sequence of study is fiqh, ʿaqīdah, sīrah, and sulūk. Students are not required to enter the rotation at a particular point. After completing Ādāb al-ʿIlm, a student may begin with whichever Certificate course is next offered and continue through the remaining requirements as the courses return in rotation.The fiqh course is ordinarily taught over twenty-four weeks. The ʿaqīdah and sulūk courses are each ordinarily taught over twelve weeks, while the sīrah course is ordinarily taught over seven weeks. Course schedules and registration dates are announced as each course becomes available.Students whose circumstances require a slower pace may complete the Certificate requirements over a longer period. HDINC does not presently impose a fixed maximum completion period for the Madrasah Certificate Program.Primary Texts StudiedThe Madrasah Certificate Program is centered upon a selection of foundational texts chosen to introduce students to the manners of seeking sacred knowledge and to foundational study in fiqh, ʿaqīdah, sīrah, and sulūk.Ādāb - Manners of Seeking Sacred KnowledgeĀdāb al-ʿIlm, from Mukhtaṣar al-Ifādāt - Shaykh al-Islām Shams al-Dīn Ibn BalbānThis prerequisite course introduces students to the manners and ethical foundations of seeking sacred knowledge through Ibn Balbān’s chapter Ādāb al-ʿIlm. The course addresses the virtue of learning and teaching, sound intention, respect for teachers and gatherings of knowledge, acting upon what one learns, patience and humility in study, gradual mastery, review and preservation of knowledge, and benefiting others through its responsible transmission. As the common entry point to study at HDINC, the course establishes the habits and dispositions expected of students before they begin their other coursework.Fiqh - Hanbali JurisprudenceBidāyat al-ʿĀbid wa Kifāyat al-Zāhid - ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-BaʿlīThis course introduces students to foundational Hanbali jurisprudence through Bidāyat al-ʿĀbid wa Kifāyat al-Zāhid by ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Baʿlī. The course focuses on the essential rulings of worship while acquainting students with the wording and structure of later relied-upon Hanbali manuals, especially Muntahā al-Irādāt. Instruction is supported by multiple references, with particular attention to al-Baʿlī’s Bulūgh al-Qāṣid Jull al-Maqāṣid and Kashf al-Mukhaddarāt wa al-Riyāḍ al-Muzhirāt. Students are introduced to the organization, terminology, and method characteristic of the Hanbali scholarly tradition.Successful completion of this course includes the granting of a sanad, documenting the student’s chain of transmission for the text studied.ʿAqīdah - Hanbali Doctrine and TheologyLumʿat al-Iʿtiqād al-Hādī ilā Sabīl al-Rashād - al-ʿAllāmah Imām Muwaffaq al-Dīn Ibn QudāmahThis course introduces students to foundational Sunni creed through Lumʿat al-Iʿtiqād by Imām Muwaffaq al-Dīn Ibn Qudāmah, one of the most widely studied primers in the Hanbali tradition. The course examines foundational beliefs related to the names and attributes of Allāh ﷻ, revelation, divine decree, faith, the Hereafter, and the virtues of the Companions. Particular attention is given to the early Hanbali and Ahl al-Ḥadīth method of affirming the transmitted texts without speculative reinterpretation while maintaining transcendence and avoiding anthropomorphism, including introductory discussion of tafwīḍ. The course provides students with an accessible introduction to classical creed literature and the theological language of the early Hanbali tradition.Successful completion of this course includes the granting of a sanad, documenting the student’s chain of transmission for the text studied.Sīrah - Life of the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺMukhtaṣar Sīrat al-Nabī ﷺ - al-Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-MaqdisīThis course studies the concise prophetic biography of al-Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-Maqdisī, one of the major Hanbali scholars of the classical period. Students examine the essential stages of the Prophet’s life ﷺ, including the Makkan mission, migration, Madinan community, major expeditions, treaties, and final years. Attention is also given to the Prophet’s character, worship, leadership, family life, and selected miracles. The course emphasizes familiarity with the major events and overall structure of the prophetic biography while strengthening the student’s knowledge of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ and his example.Successful completion of this course includes the granting of a sanad, documenting the student’s chain of transmission for the text studied.Sulūk - Spiritual WayfaringMaydān al-Maḥabbah wa al-ʿIrfān - al-ʿĀrif bi-llāh Shaykh ʿImād al-Dīn al-WāsiṭīThis course introduces students to foundational spiritual wayfaring through al-Wāsiṭī’s Maydān al-Maḥabbah wa al-ʿIrfān. The text presents a structured approach to the cultivation and purification of the heart, connecting sound belief, worship, the Prophetic example, refinement of character, and inward spiritual discipline. Students are introduced to the language and principles of sulūk while developing a practical framework for understanding the relationship between sacred knowledge, inward reform, and drawing nearer to Allāh.Continuing EducationIndividual Course EnrollmentStudents may enroll in individual courses without committing to completion of the Madrasah Certificate Program. Courses offered through continuing education may include Certificate courses as well as additional studies that fall outside the formal Certificate curriculum.All students must successfully complete Ādāb al-ʿIlm before beginning another HDINC course, including courses taken through continuing education.Students who successfully complete an individual course receive a Certificate of Completion and may also receive sanad when available for the particular text studied. All students remain subject to the academic standards and prerequisite requirements of the Institute.Academic Standards and Course CompletionStudents must achieve a minimum overall score of 80 percent to successfully complete a course, except where a course establishes a different mastery requirement.In Ādāb al-ʿIlm, students progress through five mastery quizzes and must answer all questions correctly before advancing from one lesson to the next.In cohort-based courses, required coursework and assessments must be completed according to the established course schedule. Where a midterm examination is required, it must be completed by the designated midterm period. Failure to complete required work within the established timeframe may result in withdrawal from the course.Students who do not meet the minimum academic standard may retake the course in a future offering. Extensions may be granted in cases of extenuating circumstances.Course Delivery and AssessmentWith the exception of the self-paced Ādāb al-ʿIlm prerequisite, HDINC courses are structured, cohort-based courses with defined start and end dates.Instruction combines recorded lessons with live online sessions. Recorded lessons and coursework are released weekly, while live sessions are ordinarily held twice each month under the direction of the instructor. These sessions provide opportunities for discussion, questions, clarification, and interaction among students and instructors.Assessment may include written assignments, group discussion assignments, reading exercises, mastery quizzes, and midterm and final examinations according to the structure of the individual course. Student progress is monitored by the instructor and assistant instructors throughout the course.Students are expected to engage the assigned material consistently, participate in required course activities, and complete assessments according to the established schedule.

Admissions ExpectationsThe HDINC Madrasah Programs do not require prior formal study in the Islamic sciences.Students should possess the maturity, seriousness, and personal discipline necessary to participate responsibly in structured religious study. Engagement with classical texts, regular coursework, assessment, and interaction with instructors and fellow students requires consistent participation and an appropriate level of commitment and respect.Enrollment is not conditioned upon completion of a conventional secondary or post-secondary educational pathway. Students who demonstrate sufficient maturity and readiness may begin their studies regardless of whether they have followed a traditional college-preparatory or higher-education path.EnrollmentHDINC operates on an open and flexible enrollment model. Students are not required to select a credential program when they begin their studies, nor is there a separate admissions process for entering a Madrasah Program.All students begin by completing the required Ādāb al-ʿIlm prerequisite. After successful completion, students may register for available courses according to their interests, availability, and educational goals. Some may choose to complete only selected courses, while others may gradually fulfill the requirements of a Madrasah Program.The Madrasah Programs function as structured pathways of study leading to the credentials associated with their respective requirements rather than as separate enrollment tracks. Students who complete the requirements of a Madrasah Program and meet the Institute’s academic standards are awarded the corresponding credential.Recommended sequencing is provided to support continuity of study, while prerequisite requirements remain binding where established. Students may otherwise enter available courses at different points in the instructional cycle and continue their studies as courses are offered.Enrollment begins through the Hanbali Disciples Institute website. After registering, students receive instructions for accessing the Institute’s online learning platform and the materials associated with their course of study.Tuition, Contributions, and PatronageHDINC seeks to make structured study of the Islamic sciences accessible to students from a wide range of financial circumstances.The Institute is supported substantially through patronage, including support provided by members of its own student community. Many courses therefore operate on a pay-what-you-can contribution model, allowing students to contribute according to their ability at the time of registration or through recurring support.These contributions help sustain the Institute, its instructors, educational resources, and the continued development of its courses and Madrasah Programs. Students are encouraged to support the Institute according to their means while recognizing that the educational work of HDINC depends upon the ongoing patronage of those who value and benefit from it.Certain courses or programs may carry a structured tuition amount or other required fee. Any such amount will be clearly communicated prior to enrollment. Contributions designated as supportive donations to the Institute are non-refundable.

Program Outcomes and ScopeThe Madrasah Certificate Program serves as HDINC’s foundational course of study in the areas of religious knowledge traditionally associated with farḍ ʿayn, the knowledge every Muslim needs in order to practice their religion with understanding and clarity.Students begin with the manners and responsibilities of seeking sacred knowledge through Ādāb al-ʿIlm. They then study foundational fiqh concerning worship, ʿaqīdah concerning the beliefs of Islam, sīrah concerning the life and example of the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ, and sulūk concerning the cultivation of the heart and the student’s spiritual life.The primary purpose of the program is personal religious understanding and formation. Students should emerge better equipped to worship Allāh the Exalted upon knowledge, understand the foundations of what they believe, know the Messenger ﷺ and his life more deeply, and approach their inward and spiritual life through sound principles drawn from the Islamic scholarly tradition.The program also introduces students to the terminology, texts, teachers, and resources of the Hanbali tradition, providing a foundation from which they may continue their studies with greater direction and confidence. An important outcome of the program is not simply knowing particular answers, but developing greater awareness of where reliable knowledge is found, how the Islamic sciences are organized, and when further guidance from qualified teachers is needed.The Madrasah Certificate Program is not designed as professional preparation for imams, religious scholars, or independent teachers of the Islamic sciences, nor does completion of the program by itself authorize a student to assume such roles.Students who successfully complete the program and develop a strong command of its material will, however, be well positioned to contribute responsibly at a foundational level within their families and communities. This may include assisting with the religious education of children and youth, serving in weekend or community school programs, supporting introductory classes, mentoring younger Muslims in basic religious practice, and helping direct others toward reliable texts, teachers, and resources.In such settings, the Certificate can provide a substantial foundation for those serving under the guidance of an imam, teacher, school director, or other qualified educational leadership. The program is intended to give students sufficient grounding to communicate foundational Islamic teachings with greater clarity and confidence while remaining aware of the limits of their study and the importance of referring more complex questions to qualified scholars and teachers.The Certificate Program should therefore be understood as a beginning point in structured Islamic study, not its conclusion. Students who desire greater depth, independent teaching responsibility, or broader scholarly formation are encouraged to continue their studies under qualified teachers.CertificationStudents who successfully complete the requirements of a Madrasah Program and meet the Institute’s academic standards are awarded the credential associated with that program.HDINC credentials recognize completion of structured study across the relevant disciplines and texts of the curriculum. Each credential reflects the level, scope, and requirements of the program through which it is awarded.The awarding of a credential certifies successful completion of the designated course of study. It does not, by itself, constitute recognition as a scholar, qualification for religious office, or authorization to teach independently.Sanad and Scholarly TransmissionIn certain courses, students may receive sanad for the text studied.A sanad represents a chain of scholarly transmission connecting students to the teachers through whom a work has been conveyed across generations. It serves as a record of participation in that tradition of learning and as 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, by itself, constitute authorization to teach independently or a claim to scholarly authority.TranscriptsHanbali Disciples Institute maintains academic records for students who complete coursework through the Institute. Students may request an official transcript documenting courses completed and grades earned.These transcripts provide a formal record of academic study through HDINC and may serve as documentation of completed coursework for students pursuing further educational or religious study.

Accreditation and Scholarly RecognitionHDINC is not currently seeking accreditation by a secular or interfaith theological accrediting body.The Institute understands the scholarly authenticity of its Madrasah Programs within the traditional Islamic model of transmitted knowledge. Islamic learning has historically been preserved through generations of teachers and students, with knowledge received from qualified teachers and transmitted in turn to succeeding generations. HDINC’s instructors themselves stand within such lines of study and transmission through their own teachers.The scholarly character of the Madrasah Programs is grounded in structured curricula and formal assessment alongside teacher-guided study of classical texts within an inherited scholarly tradition. Textual transmission, sanad, and ijāzah remain important expressions of this continuity and reflect the principle that sacred knowledge is received and preserved through generations of scholarly instruction.As institutional frameworks for Muslim theological education continue to develop in North America, HDINC 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 InstructorsStudents 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 SupportAdministrative 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.comClear and respectful communication is expected when requesting assistance.Student and Alumni CommunityEnrolled 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 CommunicationsStudents 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.comVolunteer OpportunitiesStudents 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.

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.HDINC 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.