Hanbali School

orthodox

المذهب الحنبلي

Overview

The smallest of the four major Sunni schools of jurisprudence, founded by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (780-855 CE). It is distinguished by its strong emphasis on scriptural evidence (Quran and hadith) and its relatively restrictive use of analogical reasoning. The Hanbali school is dominant in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It produced influential scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn al-Qayyim, and Ibn Rajab. Despite its reputation for strictness, later Hanbali jurists developed sophisticated legal theory.

Key Beliefs

  • Primacy of Quran and hadith over analogical reasoning
  • Acceptance of weak hadith over personal opinion (ra'y)
  • Restrictive use of qiyas compared to other schools
  • Emphasis on the positions of the Companions (Sahabah)
  • Opposition to speculative theology (kalam) in creedal matters