Sunni Islam

Sunni schools of law (madhab)

There are four Sunni schools of law:

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• Hanafi (based on work of Abu Hanifa)
• Maliki (founded by Malik)
• Shafi'i (founded by Shafi'i, a student of Malik)
• Hanbali (founded by Ahmad bin Hanbal, a student of Shafi'i)

A madhab is a particular tradition of interpreting Islamic law, or shari'a. The schools were started by eminent Muslim scholars in the first four centuries of Islam. Most Sunnis believe that there are no living jurists of the stature of the founders of the four madhabs. Contemporary scholars can comment on the traditions, but they cannot start new ones. This belief is called "the closing of the gate of ijtihad".

Related Topics:
Shari'a - Ijtihad

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A madhab is not to be confused with a religious sect. There may be scholars representing all four madhabs living in larger Muslim communities, and it is up to those who consult them to decide which school they prefer.

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Some Sunni Muslims say that one should choose a madhab and then follow all of its rulings. Other Sunnis say that it is acceptable mix madhabs, to accept one madhab's ruling regarding one issue, and accept another madhab's ruling regarding a different issue.

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Some modern Sunni, whether liberals or Salifis, reject some or all of the intricate structure of hadith and shari'a erected over the centuries. Some Salafis reject traditional jurisprudence and others follow the Hanbali school of thought.

Related Topics:
Salifi - Hanbali

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