Traditionalist Hanbali opposed innovation in religious matters

This is the fourth article on the reasons for different interpretations of Sharia principles by Sharia scholars who review Islamic financial transactions.

In previous articles we learned there is a consensus on all major issues by scholars and that the differences are on secondary and minor matters.

These differences exist because scholars follow four different madhabs or methodologies, which are known by the names of their respective leaders: Imam Abu Hanifa (Hanafi), Imam Malek (Maleki), Imam Shafi'i (Shafi'i), and Imam Hanbal (Hanbali).

We are becoming acquainted with these great scholars and will complete our understanding of Imam Shafi'i before moving on to Imam Hanbali.

Imam Shafi'i was born in Gaza in AD767. After the death of his father, the family migrated to Makkah, before moving to Medina in his youth. While there, he met Imam Malek and remained his student until his teacher's death in 795.

Imam Shafi'i earned praise from Imam Malek because of his ability to memorise as well as his piety, honesty and dedication to the knowledge of fiqh and the cause of Sharia.

He returned to Syria in 804 and from there went to Egypt, where he was given a warm welcome because of his close association with Imam Malek. In 810, he visited Baghdad, where he received similar treatment and was surrounded by eager students.

These students subsequently formed the Shafi'i school of Fiqh by practising and propagating his rulings and views.

Imam Shafi'i wrote several books, the most famous of which is Kitab Al Umm — a collection of his work and lectures. A number of his learned students have also collected his work and rulings in the form of books, or frequently quoted him in their books. Imam Shafi'i died in Cairo at the age of 53.

Baghdad and Cairo became centres of Imam Shafi'i's teachings during the 9th century to the extent that the Egyptian ruler Sultan Salahuddeen adopted the Shafi'i doctrine as an official madhab.

The last of the respected four imams was Ahmad Bin Mohammad Hanbal, known as Bin Hanbal. Like Imam Abu Hanifa, he was also from Baghdad, where he was born in AD780. He studied various Islamic subjects in his hometown and travelled extensively to Iraq, Syria, Hijaz (now part of Saudi Arabia) and the other Arab countries in his quest for knowledge.

He devoted himself to acquiring knowledge of the hadith — sayings and traditions of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Upon his return to Baghdad, he became a student of Imam Shafi'i.

Imam Hanbali was a traditionalist and opposed innovation in religious matters. This stance earned him wide following among the people of that time who thought the new ideas in religious matters may dilute the strength of Islam. Imam Hanbal died in Baghdad in 855 at 75.

Imam Hanbal's work includes Musnad Ahmad — an encyclopedia of traditions compiled by his son based on Imam's lectures and supported by supplements — containing more than 28,000 traditions.

His other works include Kitab Us Salaat, on the discipline of prayer and Kitab Us Sunnah, on the traditions of the Prophet Mohammad. Although Imam Hanbal did not establish a fiqh system of his own, the above books form mainstream guidelines for the Hanbali school of Fiqh.

Followers of Imam Hanbal constitute the smallest group of the four Sunni madhabs, mostly confined to Saudi Arabia, Iraq and a few Middle East countries.

Sohail Zubairi is the vice-president for Sharia structuring, documentation and product development at Dubai Islamic Bank.