Al-Hikmah Institute

Student Workbook

Commencement of the Worshiper
and Sufficiency of the Ascetic

By Abd al-Ramn b. Abd Allh b. Amad al-alabi al-Damishq al-anbal

(1110-1192 H)

Translation
Abu Ibrahim John Starling

About the Author1

The shaykh, jurist, scholar, and skilled Abd al-Ramn b. Abd Allh b. Amad al-alabi alDamishq al-anbal was born on 21, Jumada al-Ula, 1110H in Balabak. He was raised in a

house filled with knowledge; his father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all revered
scholars. His older brothers Shaykh Muammad al-anbal and Shaykh Amad the author of alRaw al-Nad, the explanation of Kf al-Mubtad.
After he reached the age of discernment he began his study of the Qurn with his father
completing it by the age of 10. He then began seeking knowledge with his first teacher the
Shaykh Awwd al-anbal al-Nbuls who taught him al-jrmiyyah in Arabic Grammar and
Akhar al-Mukhtaart in Fiqh. He studied with him many years gradually developing and
maturing in his knowledge.

After his father passed away in 1222H he remained under the tutelage of his brother the scholar
Shaykh Abu al-Muwhib al-anbal for 5 years learning Fiqh and adth. He also studied with
the scholar Abd al-Qadir al-Taghlib al-anbal, author of Nayl al-Marib, for 15 years learning
adth, Fiqh, Arabic Grammar, Inheritance, and Usl. Upon the completion of his studies he was

granted a general ijzah. He also attended the lessons of the scholar Shaykh Ismil al-Ajln,
author of Kashf al-Khafa, in Sahh al-Bukhr under the Nasr Dome in the Umayyad Mosque
for approximately 9 years and was granted a general ijaza. Later he traveled to alab and

remained there studying Hadth, Logic, Usl, Grammar, and Speaking. He had numerous teacher
and received many accolades from them as well as ijzas. He also possessed the shortest chain of
narration to Sahh al-Bkhr which was a mere 10 narrators.
Although he was influenced by a sufi environment, may Allh overlook our shortcoming and his,
he was praised by many scholars, was known for seeking knowledge his entire life, and for his
numerous teachers.
Al-Murdi said, the shaykh, the scholar, the virtuous, the righteous was a faqh, proficient in the
Islamic sciences in particular the various recitations
1

Kashf al-Mukhadart wa Riy al-Muzhirt

Ibn Badrn said, He was a faqh, an expert, eloquent, a poet

Shaykh Abd al-Hayy al-Kab said, The shaykh, the scholar, the reciter, and possessor of
Isnd

He authored numerous books including;

An abridgement of al-Jmi al-aghr of al-Suyt called Nr al-Akhyr wa Raw al-Abrr fi
adth al-Nabi al-Musaf al-Mukhtr in which he confined to the adth transmitted by Imams
Amad, al-Bukhr, and Muslim.
An explanation of the previous book entitled, Fat al-Sitr wa Kashf al-Mukhtr.
A concise manual of worship entitled Bidyat al-bid wa Kifyat al-Zhid.
An explanation of the previous book entitled, Bulugh al-Qid wa Jull al-Maqid.
An explanation of Ibn Balbns Akhar al-Mukhtaart entitled, Kashf al-Mukhadart wa Riy
al-Muzhirt.
A scholarly poem abridging al-Rabiyyah entitled, al-Durrat al-Maiyah fi Ikhtisr al-Rabiyyah.
An explanation of the previous poem entitled al-Fawaid al-Mariyyah.
A poem entitled Nam al-jrmiyyah.
Abd al-Ramn al-Bal remained in alab with support from numerous people until his passing
in 1192H. May Allh shower him with mercy.

Authors Introduction
In the Name of Allh the Most Beneficent the Most
Merciful

All praise belongs to Allh who bestows understanding

in the faith upon whom He wills of His servants and
success to His obedient in worship and veracity. We ask

Allh eternal and continuous prays and peace for our

his family, his honorable leading and exemplary

leader Muhammad the guider to the path of truth, for

companions, and all that perfectly follow them until to
the last day.
As such, I have sought Allhs guidance regarding the

authoring of a beneficial concise manual restricted to the

acts of worship based on the jurisprudence of the highly
regarded Imam Abu Abdullah Ahmad b. Hanbal in order
to encourage the disciple and grant access to the one
seeking benefit and called it, Commencement of the

Worshiper & Sufficiency of the Ascetic. I request that

Allh accept it and for everyone, both inquirer and
inquired of, who busies themselves with it for indeed He
is the most generous to place ones hope.
Notes:

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