Madhhabs

A madhhab is a school of thought within Sunni Islam that interprets and applies Islamic law, known as Sharia. These schools developed over centuries, stemming from the teachings and methodologies of prominent Islamic scholars. The primary purpose of a madhhab is to provide a systematic framework for deriving legal rulings from the Quran and the Sunnah, the practices and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

There are four major Sunni madhhabs, each named after its founder: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali. While they share the same fundamental sources of Islamic law, they differ in their interpretative methodologies and the weight they give to certain secondary sources of law, such as analogical reasoning (qiyas) or the consensus of scholars (ijma). These differences can lead to variations in legal opinions on specific matters, though on many core issues, the madhhabs are in agreement.

The Hanafi madhhab, founded by Abu Hanifa, is prevalent in South Asia, Central Asia, Turkey, and parts of the Middle East. The Maliki madhhab, founded by Malik ibn Anas, is dominant in North and West Africa. The Shafi'i madhhab, founded by Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i, is followed in parts of East Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. The Hanbali madhhab, founded by Ahmad ibn Hanbal, is most prominent in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Adherence to a particular madhhab is generally a matter of personal choice and historical tradition. Muslims often follow the madhhab prevalent in their region or the one their family has traditionally adhered to. Understanding the madhhabs is crucial for appreciating the diversity of legal thought and practice within Sunni Islam.