As we undertake the burden of publishing this hadith encyclopedia, foremost among it that sublime volume, the *Musnad* of Imam Ahmad and the four Sunan books, we ask Him, glorified and exalted be He, to make this work of ours accepted and inscribed in our records on the Day of Judgment, and to take our hands in bringing forth more of what is beneficial and conclusive from the books of the foundational sources of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah. Indeed, He, exalted be He, is the Guardian of success and right guidance.

It does not escape me, in conclusion, to extend my deepest gratitude to the esteemed father, Professor Radwan Da'bul, for the support, backing, counsel, and guidance he continually bestows upon us, which aids us in achieving our aspirations. I ask God to preserve him as a treasure for us.

I also record my profound thanks to the virtuous scholar, the beloved Shaykh Muhammad ibn Nasir al-'Ajmi, who favored us with the oldest of the manuscript copies that came into our possession, namely the Princeton University copy and several other copies. May God reward him with the best of rewards.

And all praise is due to God in the first and the last, and He is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.

Mu'adh Radwan Da'bul
General Director