Why Are There Different Madhhabs (Schools of Thought) in Islam?

Assalamu Alaykum

Many people are aware of the Madhhabs. You might have seen people in many places—for example, in mosques—where you notice that when everyone prays, some people have a slightly different way of praying, and on the other hand, others have a different way. Even though there is no major difference, only a few things are different. Some people raise their hands before Ruku, while others do not. Some say "Ameen" loudly after Surah Al-Fatiha, while others say it silently in their hearts. The issue is that many Muslims worry whether the way they are praying is the correct way, or if the way others are praying is the correct way. You will find the answers to all these questions in this article.

WHAT IS A MADHHAB?

Madhhabs, meaning schools of thought, have a very simple method. Basically, they teach you how to implement the Quran and Sunnah in real life. A Madhhab is not a new religion, nor is it a caste system like in Hinduism. This is not an innovation (Bid'ah) either. In Sunni Islam, there are four main Madhhabs: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali. These four schools of thought are named after the founders of those schools:

HANAFI: IMAM ABU HANIFA (rahimahullah)

MALIKI: IMAM MALIK (rahimahullah)

SHAFI'I: IMAM AL-SHAFI'I (rahimahullah)

HANBALI: IMAM AHMAD IBN HANBAL (rahimahullah)

These four are very great and well-known scholars of Islam. Almost all Muslims know about them and everyone follows the teachings of one of them. Whatever these scholars say, claim, or otherwise, everything consists of the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. They do not make up anything themselves; everything is from the Quran and Sunnat. All four of these scholars were experts in the Arabic Quran, Tafsir, Hadith, and Usul al-Fiqh.

WHY DO MADHHABS DIFFER?

Now, many people might ask why there are differences between the four Madhhabs. If everyone follows the Quran and Sunnah, why are there these differences?

The Quran and Sunnah are fixed; there is no change in them. However, interpretations are different. Even the Prophet's ﷺ companions رضي الله عنهم sometimes differed, but the Prophet ﷺ approved of sincere efforts.

Back in the day, traveling was difficult and all Hadiths could not reach every place. A Hadith might reach one region but not another. Also, some scholars preferred Hadiths with stronger chains, while some scholars accepted slightly weaker Hadiths if they were supported.

QIYAS (ANALOGY)

In the Hanafi Madhhab, Qiyas is used extensively.

Maliki scholars consider the practice of the people of Madinah.

Shafi'i emphasizes Hadith chains.

Hanbali is strict regarding textual evidence.

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DID THE PROPHET ﷺ ALLOW DIFFERENCES?

Yes, the Prophet ﷺ did approve of differences. One day, when the Prophet ﷺ sent his companions رضي الله عنهم to Banu Qurayzah, he told them:

Do not pray Asr until you reach Banu Qurayzah.

Some prayed on the way, while some delayed it. However, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ never said anything; he accepted both. That is the foundation of Fiqh differences. No Madhhab is wrong because everyone follows the Quran and Sunnah. They differ only in evidence. Imam Al-Shafi'i (rahimahullah) once said:

My opinion is correct but may be wrong. Your opinion is wrong but may be correct.

A MERCY FROM ALLAH

Madhhabs are not meant to divide us; rather, they are a mercy from Allah. Every place has a different culture, time, and climate, so there is a need for flexibility. If there is only one ruling, it might be easy for one region but difficult for another, making it very hard to follow. No method is wrong. If someone differs from you in prayer, do not think that you are praying the wrong way or that they are praying the wrong way. Every method is allowed.

Scholars have different views. Now it is up to you whom you wish to follow. It doesn't matter which school of thought you follow.

If a judge gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is correct... he will receive a double reward, and if he gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is wrong... even then he will get a reward." (Sahih Bukhari 7352)

For Example:

Two Rewards: If Imam Al-Shafi'i (rahimahullah) reached the objectively "correct" ruling in the eyes of God, he receives two rewards: one for effort and one for accuracy.

One Reward: If Imam Abu Hanifa (rahimahullah), after exhausting all resources, reached a different ruling that turned out to be "mistaken," he still receives one reward for his sincere effort. He is not considered "wrong" in a sinful way; he is rewarded for his striving.

Allah looks at your efforts, not your result. You should try to give your full effort. Do not worry about the result. Every scholar's way of interpreting the Sunnah and Quran is different. Even so, if you look at it, the scholars knew each other and had studied under one another, and they gave each other a lot of respect. Imam Malik was a teacher in the time of Imam Abu Hanifa's school, Imam Al-Shafi'i studied under Imam Malik, and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal was a student of Imam Al-Shafi'i. So, somehow they shared each other's knowledge and respected each other's work.

CONCLUSION

So, I hope you liked this article and learned something new. In this, we only focused on the Madhhabs and not on the lives of the scholars. In the end, I just want to say that whatever Madhhab you are following, continue to do so; there is nothing wrong with it. Now you might ask, is following a Madhhab Haram? The answer is simple: NO, following a Madhhab is not Haram at all. This is because there is no Bid'ah in a Madhhab. In a Madhhab, the Quran and Sunnah are followed, and that too by the best scholars of Islam. A Madhhab teaches us how we should use the Quran and Sunnah in our lives. It is not separate from Islam; rather, it is a part of it. So, there is no sin in following one. If you see any ruling that is against the Quran and Sunnah, then do not follow it.

That is all for today. We will meet with a new topic next. Take care of yourself and your family. May Allah forgive all our sins and accept our supplications. Ameen.

Assalamu Alaykum