madhab

Madhab, from the Arabic term madhhab meaning “way” or “school,” refers to a formal school of Islamic jurisprudence that provides a systematic method for deriving legal rulings from the core sources of Islam. A madhab encompasses the methods, principles, and opinions of a particular group of jurists and is often associated with a recognized lineage of teachers and scholars.

In Sunni Islam, the four major madhahib are Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali. They developed between the 8th and 10th centuries in different regions and built their rulings on common sources—the Qur’an and the Sunnah—while varying in methodological emphasis. The Hanafi school is noted for its use of reasoned judgment and broad analogical reasoning (qiyas); Maliki emphasizes the practice of the people of Medina as a key source; Shafi'i systematizes the methodology of legal reasoning and reliance on hadith; Hanbali stresses textual evidence and a relatively stricter literal approach. Despite differences, all four agree on core principles and many fundamental rulings.

In practice, many Muslims follow a single madhab as their primary guide for personal law, rituals, and social conduct, though scholars from other schools may be consulted. The concept of taqlid refers to following a scholar’s rulings without independent deduction, whereas ijtihad denotes independent legal reasoning by qualified jurists.

Beyond the Sunni schools, other traditions exist. The Ja‘fari school is the major Shia jurisprudential tradition and uses different sources and methods, including reason (aql) alongside hadith. The Ibadi school, found mainly in Oman and parts of East Africa, forms another distinct juristic approach. Historically, other schools such as the Zahiri existed, but their influence today is limited.