Imam al-Barbahari

Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Khalaf al-Barbahari (d. 329 AH) was the leading Hanbali imam of Baghdad in his generation. He took knowledge from the direct companions of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, foremost among them Abu Bakr al-Marrudhi and Sahl ibn Abdillah at-Tustari, and he became the recognised head of the Hanbalis of the city. Scholars such as Ibn Abi Ya'la and adh-Dhahabi record his standing, his devotion to worship, and his open opposition to the theological innovations that had spread in Baghdad in his time.

His enduring work is Sharh as-Sunnah, a compact treatise setting out the creed and manhaj of Ahl as-Sunnah in short, direct points: adherence to the Book and the Sunnah as the Companions understood them, warning against innovation and the splitting of the ranks, and the obligation of holding to the transmitted texts rather than speculative argument. It has remained a core text in the study of creed and is explained today by contemporary scholars upon the way of the Salaf.

Below is our full collection of Imam al-Barbahari's works translated into English, available at The Islamic Book Cafe.