Introduction
In Islam, there are five different schools of Islamic
Jurisprudence. Out of these schools, Jaffari school of Islamic Jurisprudence was
originated before other four school of Islamic Jurisprudence. Other four
schools of Islamic Jurisprudence are Sunni Schools, During regimes of Bano
Abbas and Bano Umia, four Sunni schools of Islamic Jurisprudence were
originated. It was during this period that four Imams, Jurisprudence, did
excellent work for interpretation of Islamic law. Out of these Sunni schools of
Islamic Jurisprudence, Imam Abu Hanifa setup foundation of Hanfi School of
Islamic Jurisprudence while Imam Malik founder of Maliki School of Islamic
Jurisprudence.
Life of Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A)
(i) Name and Title
The original name of Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A) was Noman and he
was born in Kofa in 80 Hijri. Abu Hanifa was his name, which was given to him by
his ancestors, and his title was Imam Azam.
(ii) Education
When Imam Abu Hanifa was born, Kofa was famous due to
different educational institutes and scholars. Such circumstances influenced
Imam Abu Hanifa and inspired him to get education from these institutes and
scholars. Initially he got education from Imam Shabi and Ahmad bin Salma. Later
on, he got knowledge from different scholars. He even remained affiliated with
Imam Jaffar Sadiq (A.S) and Imam Muhammad Baqir (A.S).
(iii) Services of Imam Abu Hanifa
His habit of spending time with different scholars and his
training and education under different teachers opened an ocean of knowledge
for Imam Abu Hanifa. Eventually, he became a scholar of his own rank. He did
following services in respect of development of Islamic Law.
(a) Foundation of Hanfi school of Islamic Jurisprudence
As far as interpretation and explanation of The Holy Quran
and Sunnah are concerned, Imam Abu Hanifa made remarkable contributions. His
contributions finally led to the origin of Hanfi School of thought. This school
of thought makes more emphasis on Qiyas. His contributions are also remarkable
as far as doctrine of Ijma and Customs and usages are concerned.
(b) Imam Abu Hanifa and Doctrine of Ijam
Imam Abu Hanifa went a step forward in respect of Ijma.
According to some Muslim scholars, Ijma was confined to the companions (Ashaba)
of the Holy Prophet, but other Muslim scholars limited Ijma to successors. Contrary
to all of them, Imam Abu Hanifa affirmed validity of Ijma in every age.
(c) Imam Abu Hanifa and Doctrine of Qiyas
No one other but only Imam Abu Hanifa gave too much
importance to Qiyas. In respect of Qiyas, his contributions resulted in to
origin of concept of Istihsan.
(d) Collection of Traditions
Another excellent service of Imam Abu Hanifa is that he had
collected almost fifty thousand Traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace
Be Upon Him).
(e) Recognition of Customs and Usages
It wsa Imam Abu Hanifa, who recognized customs and usages as
secondary source of Islamic law.
Life of Imam Malik (R.A)
(i) Name and Title
Imam Malik was born in 95 Hijri and he belonged to a highly
qualified family of Madina. His complete name was Imam Malik Bin Ans and his
title was Abu Abdullah.
(ii) Education
Family of Imam Malik was a scholarly family as it was famous
for its learning. Imam Malik has got knowledge from Imam Jaffar and other
scholars of the time. By birth, Imam Malik was intelligent and he was blessed
with sharp mind to learn knowledge about Hadiths and other religious subjects.
(iii) Services of Imam Malik
His God gifted mind and ability paved a way for him to make
remarkable services. Due to his services, many people were not only influenced
but also became his followers. Followings are his prominent services.
(a) Foundation of Maliki School of Islamic Jurisprudence
Imam Malik was founder of Maliki School of Islamic
Jurisprudence. He and his pupils contributed a lot into the development of this
school.
(b) Books of Imam Malik
Imam Malik had written a number of books. Out of these
books, the most prominent one was “Muta”. This book gained so much popularity
and authenticity that Haroon Rasheed once wished to enforce this book legally
through out the entire Muslim world of that time.
(c) Imam Malik And Sunnah
The Holy Quran and Hadiths were the basis of Imam Malik’s
learning. But he mostly followed only Sunnah and the Holy Qurna.
(d) Imam Malik and Doctrine of Ijma
In case conflict among Traditions, Imam Malik looked towards
Ijma. However, the considered only Ijma of those Mujtahids, who belonged to
Median.
Conclusion
To conclude, it can be stated that although Imam Abu Hanifa
died in 150 Hijri and Imam Malik died in 795 A.D., yet their contributions
remained effective even after their death. Many people kept themselves with
Hanfi and Maliki School of thought. Even now there are a number of followers of
these schools of thought and these followers are following thoughts and
concepts of Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Malik.
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