The Origins of the Maliki Madhhab and Its Schools
The Maliki madhhab originated in Medina, but it quickly spread to many parts of the world, with varying degrees of prevalence. The rapid and robust spread of the madhhab is largely attributed to the esteemed reputation and distinguished scholarly status of Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him. Students of knowledge traveled from all corners of the earth to learn from him, and upon returning to their homelands, they became ambassadors of the Maliki madhhab, establishing its foundations in various regions.
Among these students, distinct groups emerged, each characterized by unique features influenced by their environments and personal interactions with Imam Malik. These variations led to the formation of independent schools within the Maliki madhhab, all adhering to the core principles and foundational teachings of Imam Malik’s school.
The Notable Schools within the Maliki Madhhab
1. The Madinan School
The Madinan School was established by some of the most prominent students of Imam Malik in Medina. These scholars were renowned for their extensive knowledge during Imam Malik’s lifetime and continued teaching and issuing fatwas after his death. Notable figures include:
- Uthman ibn Isa ibn Kinanah (d. 185/186 AH): A respected jurist in Medina who was close to Imam Malik. He assumed a significant role in the legal council after Imam Malik’s death.
- Abdullah ibn Nafi al-Saigh (d. 206 AH): Appointed by Imam Malik as his successor, he accompanied him for forty years, known for his exceptional memory despite being illiterate.
- Mughira ibn Abdulrahman al-Makhzumi (d. 188/186 AH): A jurist who provided fatwas during Imam Malik’s lifetime and continued his legacy after his death.
2. The Egyptian School
The Egyptian School emerged as the first Maliki school outside Medina, founded by students of Imam Malik who returned to Egypt to spread his teachings. Key figures include:
- Uthman ibn al-Hakam al-Judami: Known for his narrations from Imam Malik, he contributed significantly to the dissemination of Maliki teachings in Egypt.
- Abdurrahman ibn Khalid al-Jumahi: A notable transmitter of Imam Malik’s “Muwatta,” his teachings were widely recognized and continued by his students.
- Abdullah ibn Wahb (d. 163 AH): A distinguished student of Imam Malik, his extensive narrations from the “Muwatta” played a crucial role in the school’s development.
The true founders and prominent figures of the Egyptian School, such as Abdurrahman ibn al-Qasim, Ashhab, and Abdullah ibn Abdulhakam, studied under Imam Malik to deepen their knowledge and then returned to Egypt to spread the Maliki teachings.
3. The Iraqi School
The Iraqi School of the Maliki madhhab developed through the efforts of Imam Malik’s students who traveled to Iraq. Key figures include:
- Abdurrahman ibn Mahdi (d. 198 AH): A close student of Imam Malik, he studied both jurisprudence and hadith.
- Abdullah ibn Maslamah al-Qa’nabi (d. 220 AH): Spent twenty years with Imam Malik and was known for his dedication to the “Muwatta.”
- Ismail ibn Ishaq al-Qadi (d. 282 AH): One of the prominent jurists after Imam Malik, recognized for his contributions to the Maliki madhhab in Iraq.
4. The Maghrebi School
The Maliki madhhab spread throughout the western Islamic world, including Andalusia, Morocco, Tunisia, and surrounding regions, largely through the efforts of about thirty of Imam Malik’s students who traveled from these regions to study with him. These students then returned to their homelands and established the Maliki madhhab.
Among the prominent figures of this school were:
- Ali ibn Ziyad (d. 183 AH): A scholar from Ifriqiya (modern-day Tunisia).
- Abdullah ibn Ghanim (d. 190 AH).
- Abdurrahim ibn Ashras and Bahlul ibn Rashid (d. 183 AH).
Their students continued their legacy, with notable figures such as:
- Asad ibn al-Furat (d. 213 AH): Played a significant role in documenting the school’s jurisprudence through his book “Al-Asadiyya.”
- Imam Sahnun (d. 240 AH): Revitalized the school during his time, refining and verifying the “Mudawwana” under the guidance of his teacher Ibn al-Qasim, spreading the Maliki madhhab through the Qayrawani School in Tunisia.
These schools, along with others that emerged, maintained adherence to the core principles and foundational teachings of Imam Malik, yet developed distinct characteristics influenced by their environments and personal interactions with the Imam.