The sources of Muslim law are the Quran, the Sunnah (teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad), the Ijma (consensus of Islamic scholars) and the Qiyas (analogical reasoning).
The schools of Muslim law, also known as Madhhab, are four major schools of thought which emerged in the early centuries of Islam. These schools of thought have different interpretations of the sources of Muslim law and their applications. They are:
- Hanafi School: This school was founded by Abu Hanifa (d. 767 CE) and is followed by the majority of Muslims in Turkey, Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and some parts of Egypt and Iraq. Hanafi school relies heavily on analogical reasoning (Qiyas) to derive legal rulings.
- Maliki School: This school was founded by Malik ibn Anas (d. 795 CE) and is followed by the majority of Muslims in North and West Africa. Maliki school relies on the practice of the people of Medina (where the Prophet lived) and the consensus of the scholars (Ijma).
- Shafi’i School: This school was founded by Imam Shafi’i (d. 820 CE) and is followed by the majority of Muslims in Indonesia, Malaysia, and parts of Egypt, Yemen, and East Africa. Shafi’i school relies on both the Quran and the Sunnah, and gives more weight to the Sunnah than other schools.
- Hanbali School: This school was founded by Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 855 CE) and is followed by the majority of Muslims in Saudi Arabia and some parts of Iraq and Syria. Hanbali school relies on the literal meaning of the Quran and the Sunnah, and is known for its strict adherence to these sources.
In addition to these four major schools, there are also other schools of thought within the Muslim world, such as the Zahiri school, the Ibadi school, and the Ja’fari school. These schools of thought have a smaller following and are mainly found in specific regions.
