al-Baji

Sulayman ibn Khalaf al-Baji (403–474 AH / 1013–1081 CE) was the leading Maliki scholar of al-Andalus in the 5th century AH. He traveled east and studied under major scholars before returning to Andalusia. His monumental al-Muntaqa fi Sharh al-Muwatta is one of the most important commentaries on Imam Malik's Muwatta, covering its hadith with legal analysis and comparative jurisprudence. He also wrote al-Isyarah fi Usul al-Fiqh and al-Minhaj fi Tartib al-Hujaj. He was appointed chief judge (qadi) of Almeria and was a key figure in defending and expanding the Maliki school in Andalusia.