Hanafites

The Hanafites are adherents of the Hanafi school of jurisprudence, one of the four major Sunni Islamic legal schools. Founded by Imam Abu Hanifa an-Nu'man ibn Thabit in the 8th century in Kufa, Iraq, the Hanafi school is characterized by its reliance on reason, analogy (qiyas), and the principle of istihsan (juristic preference) when interpreting Islamic law derived from the Quran and Sunnah. This approach allows for flexibility in addressing new circumstances not explicitly covered in the primary sources.

The Hanafi school gained prominence through the teachings of Abu Hanifa's students, most notably Abu Yusuf and Muhammad al-Shaybani, who systematized and codified his legal opinions. Its influence spread widely due to the patronage of various Islamic empires, including the Abbasids, Ottomans, and Mughals. Today, the Hanafi school is the most prevalent Sunni legal tradition, followed by a significant portion of Muslims globally, particularly in South Asia, Central Asia, Turkey, and parts of the Arab world. Hanafite scholars have made significant contributions to Islamic legal theory and practice, and their methodology continues to be studied and applied by Muslims worldwide.