He studied Fiqh under his father then moved to al Muwsal and continued his studies there. He then moved to Kharasaan and studied under a lot of scholars there, then to Hamdhaan, Baghdad, Damascus and Harraan.
He became proficient in a number of sciences; Hadeeth, Tafseer, Figh, Fatwa and Language amongst others.
Adh Dhahabee stated: ‘He was dignified, calm, eloquent, knowledgeable, strong in his Deen, overall Salafee, following a correct path. He used to refrain from speaking about people’s mistakes, he was a believer in Allaah along with His Names and Attributes…he was the reference point for Fataawa during his time.
Ibn Katheer stated: ‘The Imaam, the ‘Allaamah, the Mufti and Muhaddith of ash Shaam, he was amongst the virtuous, the major scholars…he was upon the methodology of righteous predecessors with knowledge of a lot of sciences.
As Sakhawee stated: ‘Al ‘Allaamah, al Faqeeh, the Haafidh of his time, Shaykhul Islaam…”
Al ‘Iraaqee stated: ‘If the title ‘the Shaykh’ is used concerning the scholars of Hadeeth, he is the one intended…’