Abdullah bin Mubarak was a pious Muslim of early Islamic history who is known for his zeal for religious knowledge with an emphasis on Hadith sciences. His transformation from a young adult indulged in music and entertainment to a serious student of religion captivates one's imagination, as does his sincere quest to gain knowledge. His most outstanding characteristic is the balance he achieved in his life - he would spend a third of his time in seeking knowledge and earning his livelihood (he was a trader), a third in Jihad and the remaining in Hajj. He was also known for his charitable spending and generosity. His teachers included leading scholars such as Sufyan Thawri, Imam Malik and Imam Abu Hanifa. Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal said about him that there was no one more eager to travel long distances for seeking knowledge. Abdullah bin Mubarak was declared unanimously as the most prominent scholar of his time in a gathering of religious scholars. Remarkably, he excelled in all aspects including jurisprudence, literature, grammar, language, speech, poetry, spirituality and worship, Jihad, Hajj, avoidance of idle talk, charity and dealing with relatives and friends.
