This level serves as the foundational stage of study, introducing seekers to fiqh (jurisprudence), sīrah (Prophetic biography), and sulūk (spiritual wayfaring). It establishes key concepts, essential terminology, and the traditional structure of Islamic disciplines, while also familiarizing students with our teaching methodology, platform, and expectations. 

Texts include Al-Ajwibat al-Jaliyyah in Ḥanbali Fiqh, Al-Tuḥfat al-Zarīfah in Sīrah, and Miftāḥ al-Ṭarīq in Sulūk.

This level marks a crucial stage in the seeker’s journey, where they begin to establish themselves as serious students of knowledge and better understand the distinct Ḥanbali disposition—one rooted in legal understanding and spiritual refinement. This level expands the seeker’s studies by introducing two additional disciplines: ʿaqīdah (creed) and tafsīr (Qur’anic exegesis). Seekers engage more deeply with the chapters of worship, transitioning into classical teaching manuals that follow the traditional structured approach to learning. A unique feature of this stage is the introduction to the traditional ijāzah (license) system, where seekers may potentially receive up to three licenses to narrate the respective texts studied. 

Texts include Lumʿat al-Iʿtiqād in Ḥanbali ʿAqīdah, Bidayat al-ʿĀbid in Ḥanbali Fiqh, Mukhtaṣar Sīrat al-Nabī in Sīrah, Ṭarīq al-Muḥibbīn in Sulūk, and Fatḥ al-Raḥmān (Juz ʿAmma) in Tafsīr.

This level deepens the seeker’s understanding of previously studied disciplines while introducing two new subjects: Uṣūl al-Fiqh (principles of jurisprudence) and Adab (Islamic ethics and etiquette). In Fiqh, seekers begin studying ʿUmdat al-Ṭālib, the core fiqh manual of this program, alongside Ibn Qāʾid’s Hidāyat al-Rāghib. They are also introduced to al-Buhūtī’s major works, including Sharḥ Muntahā al-Irādāt and Kashshāf al-Qināʿ. They will begin expanding their studies in Sīrah with Al-Wāsitī’s Mukhtaṣar Ibn Hishām focusing on Prophetic life lessons. At this level, students can receive two ijāzahs to narrate their respective texts. 

Texts inlcude Qalāʾid al-ʿIqyān in Ḥanbali ʿAqīdah, ʿUmdat al-Ṭālib in Ḥanbali Fiqh, al-Waraqāt in Uṣūl al-Fiqh, Manẓūmat al-Adab al-Sughra in Adab, Miftāḥ al-Maʿrifah in Sulūk, Mukhtaṣar Ibn Hishām (Makkan Period) in Sīrah, and Fatḥ al-Raḥmān (Juz Tabarak) in Tafsīr.

This level represents the culmination of structured study, firmly establishing the seeker in Ḥanbali thought and practice. Seekers will conclude their studies in ʿUmdat al-Ṭālib (Transactions & Exchange), Mukhtaṣar Ibn Hishām (Madinan Period), and the mufassalāt chapters in Fath al-Rahman. They will advance in their studies of Uṣūl al-Fiqh, Sulūk, and Adab completing a study of Mukhtaṣar Minhāj al-Qāṣidīn which is based on Ghazāli's Ihya. At this level, students can receive three ijāzahs, granting them permission to narrate the respective texts. 

Texts include al-ʿAyn wal-Athar in Ḥanbali ʿAqīdah, Umdat al-Ṭālib in Ḥanbali Fiqh, Bulghat al-Wuṣūl in Uṣūl al-Fiqh, Mukhtaṣar Minhāj al-Qāṣidīn in Adab, Maydān al-Maḥabbah in Sulūk, Mukhtaṣar Ibn Hishām (Madinan Period) in Sīrah, and Fatḥ al-Raḥmān (Qaf to al-Tahrim) in Tafsīr.