The Sunni branch of Islam is comprised of several schools of thought, each with its own legal traditions and interpretations. The four major Sunni schools, or madhhabs, are Hanafi, Maliki, Hanbali, and Shafi'i. While they share fundamental beliefs and principles, they differ in their approaches to jurisprudence, legal methodology, and regional influence.
Hanafi: The Hanafi school is the largest and oldest Sunni school of jurisprudence. It was founded by Imam Abu Hanifa, an influential jurist from Kufa, Iraq, in the 8th century. Hanafi scholars rely on a combination of textual evidence from the Qur'an and Hadith, as well as reasoning and legal analogy (qiyas). The Hanafi school is known for its emphasis on independent reasoning, flexibility in adapting to changing circumstances, and its preference for the use of personal opinion (ra'y) in legal rulings. It is widely followed in parts of Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Turkey, and the Balkans.
Maliki: The Maliki school was founded by Imam Malik ibn Anas, a prominent jurist from Medina in the 8th century. The Maliki school places a strong emphasis on the practice and customs of the people of Medina at the time of the Prophet Muhammad. Maliki scholars rely on the Qur'an, Hadith, consensus (ijma), and reasoning (qiyas) in deriving legal rulings. The Maliki school is known for its pragmatic approach, adherence to local customs, and consideration of public interest (maslaha) in legal decisions. It is prevalent in North Africa, West Africa, and parts of the Middle East.
Hanbali: The Hanbali school was founded by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, an influential scholar from Baghdad in the 9th century. Hanbali scholars adhere closely to the Qur'an, Hadith, and the opinions of the early Muslim community (salaf). The Hanbali school emphasizes a strict adherence to the literal interpretation of the texts and rejects any form of innovation or speculation in legal matters. It is known for its conservative approach and strict adherence to the teachings of the Prophet and the early Muslim generations. The Hanbali school is particularly influential in Saudi Arabia and parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
Shafi'i: The Shafi'i school was founded by Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i, a prominent jurist from Mecca and Egypt in the 9th century. Shafi'i scholars rely on the Qur'an, Hadith, consensus (ijma), and analogical reasoning (qiyas) in legal interpretation. The Shafi'i school emphasizes the use of reason and legal methodology in deriving rulings. It promotes the balancing of textual evidence with the broader objectives of Islamic law (maqasid al-shariah) and considers custom (urf) as a secondary source. The Shafi'i school is widespread in Southeast Asia, parts of the Middle East, and East Africa.
These four Sunni schools provide Muslims with diverse legal perspectives and interpretations within the framework of Sunni Islam. While they differ in some aspects of legal methodology and approach, they share a common foundation in the Qur'an and Hadith and aim to guide the community in matters of worship, personal conduct, family law, and other legal issues. Muslims follow these schools based on their geographic location, cultural heritage, and scholarly guidance. The schools continue to evolve as scholars engage in legal reasoning and adapt the principles of Islamic law to contemporary contexts.
