mezhebs

Mezhebs are schools of jurisprudence or legal thought within Sunni Islam. They represent distinct interpretations and methodologies used to derive Islamic law from its primary sources, the Quran and the Sunnah (the teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad). While there are many historical mezhebs, four are widely recognized and followed today: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali. These schools primarily differ in their approaches to analogical reasoning (qiyas), consensus of the community (ijma), and the weight given to the sayings and practices of the Prophet's companions.

The Hanafi mezheb, founded by Abu Hanifa, is known for its extensive use of reason and analogy, particularly in areas where explicit texts are scarce. The Maliki mezheb, associated with Malik ibn Anas, places significant emphasis on the practices of the people of Medina as a reflection of the Sunnah. The Shafi'i mezheb, attributed to Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i, is credited with systematizing Islamic legal theory, establishing a clear hierarchy of sources that includes the Quran, Sunnah, ijma, and qiyas. The Hanbali mezheb, founded by Ahmad ibn Hanbal, is generally considered the most conservative, adhering strictly to the Quran and Sunnah with minimal reliance on analogical reasoning.

Adherence to a particular mezheb is a matter of personal choice and has historically been influenced by geographical location and scholarly tradition. Despite their differences, all four recognized Sunni mezhebs are considered valid interpretations of Islamic law, and Muslims may follow any of them. The existence of mezhebs reflects the intellectual diversity within Islamic scholarship and the ongoing process of legal interpretation within the tradition.