The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal is a significant collection of hadith, or sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, compiled by the Islamic scholar Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Completed in the 9th century, it contains over 30,000 narrations, organized primarily by the names of the companions of the Prophet. This structure allows readers to easily find hadith attributed to specific individuals. Ahmad ibn Hanbal, a prominent figure in Islamic jurisprudence, is also known for founding the Hanbali school of thought. His work emphasizes the importance of authentic sources in Islamic teachings. The Musnad remains a vital reference for scholars and students of Islamic studies today.