Maliki School

Mainstream

المالكية

Overview

One of the four major Sunni schools of jurisprudence founded by Imam Malik ibn Anas (711–795 CE) in Medina. Distinctive for its use of the practice of the people of Medina (amal ahl al-Madinah) as a legal source, given that Medina was the city of the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions. Predominant in North Africa, West Africa, Andalusia (historically), and parts of the Gulf.

Key Beliefs

Following Quran, Sunnah, Ijma, and the practice of the people of Medina
The 'amal (practice) of the Madinans is a primary legal source
Maslahah mursalah (public interest) used in legislation
Strong emphasis on Hadith of the people of Madinah

Scholarly Evaluation

One of the four accepted madhabs of Ahl us-Sunnah. Imam Malik's al-Muwatta is considered one of the earliest and most authoritative hadith collections. Imam al-Shafi'i famously studied under Imam Malik and described him as a proof of Allah on His creation.

Key Figures

Imam Malik ibn Anas (711–795 CE)
Ibn al-Qasim (745–806 CE)
Al-Qurtubi (1214–1273 CE)
Ibn Rushd (al-Grandfather) (d. 1126 CE)

Sources

Al-Muwatta (Imam Malik)
Al-Mudawwanah (Sahnun)
Bidayat al-Mujtahid (Ibn Rushd)

Parent Group

Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah

Founder

Imam Malik ibn Anas

Founded

711 CE