Malikite

The Malikite school of jurisprudence, also known as Maliki fiqh, is one of the four major Sunni Islamic legal schools. It was founded by Imam Malik ibn Anas, who was born in Medina in 711 CE and died there in 795 CE. Imam Malik was a student of many prominent scholars of his time, including Abu Hanifa's students.

The primary sources of Maliki jurisprudence are the Quran and the Sunnah (the teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad). However, the Malikite school places particular emphasis on the practices and customs of the people of Medina as a significant source of Islamic law. This is because Imam Malik believed that the people of Medina, living in the city where the Prophet Muhammad resided and established the first Islamic community, had preserved the authentic practices of Islam.

Other sources of law for Malikis include consensus (ijma) and analogical reasoning (qiyas). They also utilize maslaha mursala, which refers to public interest considerations that are not explicitly supported or contradicted by the primary sources, and istihsan, which is the principle of seeking the most equitable or just ruling.

The Malikite school is prevalent in North Africa, West Africa, and some parts of the Middle East, particularly in the Arabian Peninsula. Its teachings have influenced legal systems and cultural practices in these regions for centuries. While distinct, the four Sunni schools of thought are considered valid interpretations of Islamic law, and adherence to one does not preclude respect for the others.