The four major Sunni madhhabs (schools of Islamic jurisprudence) are the Hanafi,
Maliki, Shafi, and Hanbali schools, established by prominent scholars between the
8th and 9th centuries. They are considered valid, independent methodologies for
interpreting the Quran and Sunnah, sharing 90-95% agreement on core tenets
despite minor differences in legal application.
The Four Schools of Thought:
Hanafi: Founded by Imam Abu Hanifah (d. 767 AD) in Kufa, Iraq. Known for utilizing
rational reasoning () alongside textual sources, it is the most widely followed school,
particularly in South/Central Asia and Turkey.
Maliki: Founded by Imam Malik bin Anas (d. 795 AD) in Medina. It heavily
emphasizes the practices of the people of Medina , in addition to the Quran and
Sunnah. It is predominant in North and West Africa.
Shafi: Founded by Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi (d. 820 AD). This school is
noted for its structured, systematic approach to legal theory (), often bridging
traditionalism and rationalism. It is widely followed in East Africa, Southeast Asia,
and parts of the Middle East.
Hanbali: Founded by Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (d. 855 AD). It is the most textualist
of the four, placing primary emphasis on the Quran and Hadith (sayings of the
Prophet), often rejecting or limiting the use of personal opinion or complex analogy. It
is prevalent in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.
