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Schools of Muslim (Muhammadan) Law

Sub-schools 1. 2. 3. 4.
Diffs b/w the subschools

SUNNI 4 sub-schools Hanafi / Kufa school......predominant in India Maliki / Medina school Shafi school Hanbal(i) school Hanafi Maliki Shafi
Imam MalikIbn-Anas Born- AH 95, Madina [AH 95- 175] Traditionalist, but a jurist of a v. high order Maliks bookKitab-alMuwatta Mohmd.-ibnidris-ash-safi (Imam Shaafi) [AH 150- 204] Pupil- M-i-a Founder of : Classical theory of Muslim jurisprudence Science of Usul Doctrine of Ijma Usul-al-fiq (theoretical basis of Islam) Book- Kitabh-ulUmm

SHIA 3 sub-schools 1. Zaydis school 2. Ismaili / Seveners school 3. Ithna Ashari / Twelvers school......predominant in India Zaydis Ismailis Itna Ashari
Not so much in the Interpretation as in the Doctrinal points

Hanbali
Imam Hanibal [AN 164241]

Differ in the details, their basic doctrines are essentially the same
Imam Abu Hanifa th 8 cc AD [AH 80- 150]

Founder

Imp features

Sources of Law & Authority of Custom

Founded the institution of Kazi Codification of lawwith assistance of disciples Laid down theories & principles of Muslim jurisprudence Founded Muslim jurisprudence Two Authoritative texts: 1. Fatava Alamgiri 2. Hidaya Recgzd Main Sources: Quran(believed to be the direct words of Allah revealed to and transmitted by the Prophet Muhammad) & Sunnah (traditions or known practices of the Prophet Muhammad)

Follow the Itna Ashari law Important text Sharaya-UlIslam

Recgzd Main Sources: Quran & Sunnah Recognize the authority of Custom Recognize Muslahat

Perfected the doctrine of Ijma (or consensus of the learned)

Advocates the principle of adhering to the Hadith literally.

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Recognize the authority of Custom Laid more stress on Ijma (consensus of opinion of the scholars) & Istihsan (Arabic term for Juristic prudence/preferenceliterally means to consider something good (Arabic: to approve, or to sanction), among Muslim theologians, the use of ones own judgment to determine the best solution to a religious problem that cannot be solved by citing sacred texts.to deem something preferable Great reliance on the principles of Qiyas (analogical deductions) as the doctrine of Hadith had not fully developed in this period nor were there any recognized collections of Hadith Well represented in: India Pakistan Bangladesh Afghanistan Turkey (public welfare)

Representation

Does not differ materially from Hanafibut lays..greater reliance on systematic reasoning Followers NOT found in India North, Central, & West Africa, Egypt

Egypt, S. America, S. Africa, W. India.S. India

It is believed that the follower of Imam Hanibal are almost extinct today.

Followers NOT found in India Found mostly in Saudi Arabia

Khoja & Bohra communities of Bombay belong to this school Smallest minority of Muslim groups Found in W. & C. India