The Four Schools of Islamic Jurisprudence (Madhabs)

Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) is the science of deriving legal rulings from the Quran and Sunnah. Over time, four major schools (madhabs) emerged, each named after its founder and followed by billions of Muslims worldwide. **The Hanafi School** Founded by Imam Abu Hanifa (699-767 CE) in Iraq. The most widely followed school globally, dominant in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh), Turkey, Central Asia, and parts of the Middle East. Known for its use of ra'y (reasoned opinion) and qiyas (analogy). **The Maliki School** Founded by Imam Malik ibn Anas (711-795 CE) in Madinah. Predominant in North and West Africa. Gives significant weight to the practice of the people of Madinah as a source of Sunnah. **The Shafi'i School** Founded by Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i (767-820 CE). Widespread in East Africa, Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia), and parts of the Middle East. Known for its systematic methodology in usul al-fiqh (legal theory). **The Hanbali School** Founded by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (780-855 CE). Predominant in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Known for its strict reliance on Hadith and minimal use of analogy. **Unity in Diversity** Despite differences in secondary rulings, all four schools agree on fundamental matters of faith (Aqeedah), the Five Pillars, and core Islamic ethics. The differences are a mercy — Allah's law is comprehensive enough to accommodate various contexts.