Al-Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī ibn Khalaf al-Barbahārī

Al-Hasan ibn 'Ali al-Barbahari (233 H-329H)

أبو محمد الحسن بن علي بن خلف البربهاري (233 هـ / 329 هـ)

Name and Lineage

He is Al-Hasan bin Ali bin Khalaf Al Barbahari Al Baghdadi.  Al Barbahari refers to Al barbahar which is a medicine commonly found in India at that time. The one who worked with that particular medicine was referred to as al barbahari. It is speculated this is what is known as al baharaat (spices) today.

Birth and Early Life

Imam Al-Barbahari was born during the reign of the Abassids in the year 233 AH. During this period, the Hanbali madhab was ascending to dominance due to the efforts of the senior students of Imam Ahmed. Imam Al-Barbahari grew up in a religious environment and was known for his attachment to the Quran and Sunnah.

Pursuit of Knowledge

He was known to be very much committed to studying Islamic sciences, particular Hanbali fiqh creed and hadeeth.

Teachers

Not much has reached us about specific scholars he studied with except two:

• Ahmed bin Muhammad bin Al-Hujjaj Abū Bakr al-Marrūdhī – one of Imam Ahmad’s greatest students

• Sahl bin Abdullah bin Yunus Al-Tusturi

Students

Among his most notable students:

• Abū ʿAbdullāh ibn Battah al-ʿUkbarī, author of al-Ibānah

• ʿAbd al-Wahhāb al-Warrāq

• Many Hanbali scholars of Baghdad and Wasit who transmitted his views

It was said the number of his students reach so many that once Imam Al-Barbahri was on the far side of Baghdad and sneezed. The response of his students was so numerous and loud that the Khalifah could hear the commotion in his apartment.

His creed

Imam Al-Barbahari was and is a leading point of reference in aqeedah. Many claim him as a champion of their creedal school but the truth of which can be found in his own writings. In his book “Sharh Al-Sunnah” he states:

“Everything of the narrations which you heard but cannot fully understand, like the saying of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), “The hearts of the servants are between two "fingers" of the Most Merciful, the Mighty and Majestic,” his (ﷺ) saying, “Indeed Allah "descends" to the lowest heaven” “He "descends" on the Day of Arafah,” “He "descends" on the Day of Resurrection” “Hellfire does not cease having them thrown into it until He, the Majestic, places His "foot" upon it,” Allah, the Most High’s saying to the servant, “If you walk towards me, I run towards you” his saying, “Allah created Adam in His "image",” the saying of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ), “I saw my Lord in the most excellent "form"” and the like of theses hadiths, then accept them, affirm them, perform tafweedh. Do not explain any of them with your feelings/desires, since believing in them is obligatory. So, anyone who explains anything from them according to his desires or rejects them is a Jahmee.”

What should be noted here is his explicit use of the word “tafweedh and his explanation of what the word entails: not explaining and relegating the meanings of which to Allah.

He was also a major thorn the throats of the heretical groups of his time from the shia, philosophers and their delving into philosophical argumentation and speculative interpretations, the Mu’tazilah and their excessive rationalism, the early Asharis and extremist elements amongst the Sufis.

Scholarly Status and Reputation

Imam Al-Barbahari’s legacy was that of a staunch Hanbali. A major scholar of the Hanbalis in Baghdad. A leader of the people. His lectures motivated many in the crowds of his lectures to enjoin the good and prevent evil in their communities. At times, this zealousness amongst his followers lead to violent clashes and destruction of property. The followers of Imam Al-Barbahari had numerous conflicts with his detractors.  Most notable are the clashes between the followers of Al-Barbahari and those of Imam Ibn Jarir Al-Tabari who was viewed as a heretic by Al-Barbahari. His influence over the populace of Baghdad at that time was seen in the secret burial Imam Al-Tabari due to fears of mob violence at the hands of the followers of Imam Al-Barbahari.

Writings and Scholarly Contributions

His most notable work is “Sharh Al-Sunnah” (Explanation of the Sunnah)

Death

Imam Al-Barbahari died in hiding due to his increasingly divisive influence in politics and religion amongst the people of Baghdad. He died in the year 329 H.

Legacy

Al-Barbahārī left a profound legacy of staunch adherence and love of the Sunnah. He became a symbol of steadfastness upon the creed of Imam Ahmad and his school. His teachings helped preserve the Athari/Hanbali creed during a volatile theological era. His students carried his works into future generations, shaping the later Hanbali tradition. Sharḥ al-Sunnah is still studied today in various circles around the world. He is remembered as one of the pillars of early Hanbali scholarship and a defender of the Sunnah in a time of widespread doctrinal deviation.

Imam Al-Dhahabi mentioned him in Siyar A’lam Al-Nubala’ and said: “Al-Barbahari, the Sheikh of the Hanbalis, the exemplary Imam, Abu Muhammad Al-Hasan bin Ali bin Khalaf Al-Barbahari, the jurist. He was a speaker of truth, a caller to the tradition, and he did not fear the blame of any critic in the cause of God.”