Madhhab (Arabic ãÐåÈ pl. ãÐÇåÈ Madhaahib)
is an Arabic term that refers to an Islamic school of thought or
religious jurisprudence (fiqh). In the first 150 years of Islam,
there were many schools - in fact, several of the
Sahaba are credited as having their
own. The prominent schools of Damascus (often named Awza'iyya),
Kufa, Basra and Medina survived as the Maliki madhhab,
while Iraqi schools were consolidated into the Hanafi madhhab.
Shafi'i, Hanbali, Zahiri and Jariri schools were established
later.
Shiite Islam has its own school of law, the Jafari, founded by
the sixth Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq.
The four Sunni schools are not generally regarded as distinct
sects, as there has been great harmony amongst their various
scholars throughout Islamic history.
Imam Abu Hanifa was the 'founder' of the Hanafi school,
lived in modern-day Iraq, not long after the prophet Muhammad's
death. It is reported that Imam Abu Hanifa studied under many
teachers, including Imam Jafar Sadiq¹. He also met the Sahabi
Anas ibn Malik, making Imam Abu Hanifa one of the Tabi'een.
Imam Malik was born shortly thereafter in Medina. There
are reports that they lived at the same time and, although Malik
was much younger, their mutual respect is well-known. In fact,
one of Abu Hanifa's main students, on whose teaching a lot of
the Hanafi school is based, studied from Imam Malik as well.
Imam Shafi'i was also taught by both Abu Hanifa's
students and Imam Malik and his respect for both men is also
well-documented.
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal studied with Imam Shafi'i, and
consequently there are many similarities between the madhhabs.
Sunnis believe that all four schools have correct guidance, and
the differences lie not in the fundamentals of faith, but
instead in finer judgements and jurisprudence, which are a
result of the independent reasoning of the Imams and the
scholars who followed them. Because their individual
methodologies in interpretation and extraction from the primary
sources were different, they came to different judgements on
particular matters. For example, there are subtle differences in
the methods of prayer in the four schools, yet the difference is
not so great that separate prayers need to be held for followers
of each school. In fact, a follower of any school can usually
pray behind an Imam of another school without any confusion.
Not all Sunni Muslims choose to follow any particular school,
particularly those Muslims living in Muslim-minority countries.
Those who do not follow a single school usually draw advice and
guidance from all four major schools.
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