This book is a compilation of
four books which deal with the lives and works of the four imams who founded
the four great canonical schools of thought of Islamic fiqh. The book was
originally written in Arabic by the great Egyptian scholar and theologian
Muhammad Abu Zahra and is presented in English for the first time.
In this book, there is a
comprehensive, in depth analysis of the four Sunni madhabs and their founders,
giving details of their biography and the methods they used in reaching their
legal conclusions. This is particularly important important in the world today
when many thousands of Muslims find themselves in a situation where there is
not enough knowledge and therefore, no traditional allegiance to a particular
madhab. As a result of this ignorance, there is also a great deal of futile
disagreements amongst the Muslims. This work therefore has been long overdue
in the English language and will be a milestone in bridging the gap amongst
the Muslims and uniting them. It makes a stimulating and enriching read for
all who are interested in deepening their knowledge of Islam.
Brief Biographies of the
Four Imams
Imam Malik -
the first of the four great imams and founder of the Maliki school of thought.
He lived his whole life in Madina where much of the Quran was revealed and
most of the legal practices of Islam established. He spent his life studying,
recording and clarifying the legal parameters and precedents which was passed
down to him by the first two generations of Muslims who were the direct
inheritors of the perfected form of Islam left by the Prophet (saw). This book
not only gives the biographical details of the Imam's life but also puts it in
its historical context and most importantly, shows us the methods he used in
reaching his legal conclusions which played a vital part in preserving exactly
the legacy of the pure Divine Guidance left by the Prophet and his Companions.
Imam Al Shafi -
founder of the Shafi'i school of thought. He was remarkable in that he
resolved the differences of opinion that arose in the still evolving Muslim
community and brought them together in the most outstanding legal system in
the whole history of mankind. This book looks at his life and traces the
development of his thought. It talks of his teachers and his followers and
shows how the system he devised grew out of the intellectual and political
currents of his time. It also gives an in-depth historical analysis of the
various movements and sects which formed the background to the Islamic world
in which he lived.
Imam Abu Hanifa
- died in 150 AH/767CE. He met the companions of the Prophet (saw) and is
counted amongst the Tabi'un (followers). He is renowned for his piercing
intellect as faqih, his scrupulousness, integrity of character and his
resoluteness in the face of oppression. His school is historically associated
with the rule in India and is the most widely followed school of thought. This
makes his study particularly important for the English speaking readers since
it gives them an in-depth appreciation of the school followed by the majority
of the Muslims in the world.
Imam Ahmad Abn Hambal
- chronologically the last of the four imams and lived just after the first
three generations of exemplary Muslims, thus confronting a slightly different
situation from that faced by his three predecessors. This necessitated a fresh
approach to the legal issues arising out of the situation of the rapidly
expanding urban development and imperial government which had started to
engulf much of the Muslim community. The book shows how Imam Ahmad through his
incredible personal integrity and scrupulous adherence to sound tradition was
able to chart a course through a story period in which he lived. His example
provided his followers with the legal bases of what later became the Hanbali
madhab.
This book is a compilation of four books which deal with the lives and works
of the four imams who founded the four great canonical schools of thoughts of
Islamic fiqh. The book was originally written in Arabic by the great Egyptian
scholar and theologian Muhammad Abu Zahra and is presented in English for the
first time.
In this book there is a comprehensive, in depth analysis of the four Sunni
madhabs and their founders, giving details of their biography and the methods
they used in reaching their legal conclusions. This is particularly important in
the world today when many thousands of Muslims find themselves in a situation
where there is not enough knowledge therefore no traditional allegiance to a
particular madhab. As a result of this ignorance there is also a great deal of
futile disagreements amongst the Muslims. This work therefor has been long
overdue in the English language and will be a milestone in bridging the gap
amongst the Muslims and uniting them. It makes a stimulating and enriching read
for all who are interested in deepening their knowledge of Islam