Comprehensive Explanation of the Principles of the Sunnah

Author: Imam Abu Abdullah Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal

Explained by: Ahmad ibn Yahya al-Najmi | Zayd ibn Muhammad al-Madkhali | Rabee' ibn Hadi Umayr al-Madkhali | Ubayd ibn Abdullah al-Jabri

The meaning of Sunnah among the People of the Sunnah and the Community is adherence to what the companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) were upon, following their example, abandoning innovations (bid'ah) – for every innovation is misguidance – abandoning disputes, avoiding association with people of desires, and abandoning contention, argumentation, and disputes in religion. The Sunnah also refers to the traditions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and the Sunnah explains the Qur'an and provides evidence for it. The most obligatory thing for a person is to know the tenets of faith and what Allah has commanded His servants concerning understanding His Oneness and Attributes, and believing in His messengers with evidence and certainty, and reaching their paths and proving them with proofs and arguments. Among what was written and compiled in this regard is the great treatise "Usul al-Sunnah" (Principles of the Sunnah) by the Imam of the People of the Sunnah, Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him), which is one of the most important Salafi treatises that presented the fundamental issues of creed, supported by evidence from the Book and the Sunnah. Therefore, Muslim scholars have circulated this valuable treatise and incorporated it into their books. A number of scholars from the People of the Sunnah and the Community have explained and detailed it to simplify the concepts and values of this unique treatise. Among those who explained it are: the esteemed scholar Ahmad al-Najmi, the esteemed scholar Zayd al-Madkhali, the esteemed scholar Rabee' al-Madkhali, and the esteemed scholar Ubayd al-Jabri. Dar al-Mithath al-Nabawi has collected these explanations in a single volume, which is the book before us.