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Imam A'zam Abu Hanifa, Imam Maalik, Imam
Shaafi and Imam Ahmed bin Hambal (radi Allahu anhumul ajma'in)are
the leaders of the four schools of Fiqh (Islamic Law).
"FIQH" is the Science of Islamic
Law or Jurisprudence. It refers to the collection and compilation of Islamic
laws based on the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam). These great Muslims devoted themselves to the task
of developing the science of understanding Islamic Law and its practise.
Although they differed from each other, all
the four great Imams had great respect for each other. They were all teachers
and pupils of each other for the common goal of enhancing their knowledge about
Islam. All of them were unanimous on Aqa'ids (Islamic Beliefs). We, as Muslims,
must respect the different Sunni schools of thought.
Imam Maalik (radi Allahu anhu) was born in 93 A.H. He
was born in the period of the Ummayyad Dynasty. His full name is Maalik bin
Anas.
Imam Maalik (radi Allahu anhu's) grandfather and uncle
were great scholars of Hadith. Imam Maalik (radi Allahu anhu) learnt
Ahadith from his uncle, Sayyiduna Abu Suhail Nafi (radi Allahu anhu). The
Imam was a very keen scholar from his childhood days.
Imam Maalik (radi Allahu anhu) had many illustrious
teachers. Most of them were great Taabi'i scholars who learnt under the Sahaba.
Some of his teachers used to teach in Masjidun Nabawi. He learnt how to read the
Holy Quran from Sayyiduna Abu Radim Nafi Abdur Rahman (radi Allahu anhu).
He also learnt Hadith under Sayyiduna Nafi, Sayyiduna Jafer
Saadiq, Sayyiduna Mohammed bin Yahya Ansaari, Sayyiduna Abu Haashim Salmah,
Sayyiduna Yahya bin Said and Sayyiduna Hishaam bin Urwah (radi Allahu anhumul
ajma'in).
Imam Maalik (radi Allahu anhu's) fame spread far and wide
and many great scholars sat in his company learning Ahadith and other Islamic
legal issues. Some 1300 scholars sat at his feet. They copied the "MUWATTA"
from him. The "Muwatta" is a collection of Ahadith by Imam Maalik
(radi Allah anhu). Many of his pupils copied the Muwatta, the famous among
them being: Sayyiduna Yahya bin Yahya Al Masmudi, Sayyiduna ibn Wahab Abu
Mohammed Abdullah and Sayyiduna Abi Abdullah Abdur Rahman Abdur Rahman (radi
Allahu anhumul ajma'in).
Even Imam A'zam Abu Hanifa (radi Allahu anhu), his
teacher, held Imam Maalik (radi Allahu anhu) in great regard and respect
and should sit in his study circle. Imam Maalik (radi Allahu anhu) liked
his students to read aloud while he listened. He used to sit on a high chair
with students all around taking notes.
He was a great "Muhaddith" (A Scholar of Hadith). He was
very careful in selecting Hadith, and after examining them thoroughly used to
record it in his Muwatta.
As a Jurist, he was not afraid of giving a "Fatawa"
(Legal Islamic Ruling) even if it was against the Caliph. He was once flogged
for doing so.
He passed away on the 11th of Rabi-ul-Awwal in the year 179 A.H.
He was 86 years old. Imam Maalik (radi Allahu anhu) is buried in Janatul
Baqi in Madinatul Munawwarah.
He never wore shoes whilst in Madinatul Munawwarah. He
never sat on a horse or used the toilets in this blessed city. He always went
out of the city to relieve himself. He used to kiss the old buildings and the
remains of old foundations, saying that Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) may have walked by, touched it or saw it. Such was his
adoration for Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
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