Madhhab (school of thought)

A Madhhab, or school of thought, is a traditional legal and interpretative framework within Islam that guides how religious principles are understood and practiced. These schools develop from scholarly consensus and evidence-based reasoning, shaping areas like worship, ethics, and community rules. The four main Sunni Madhhabs—Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali—offer slightly different methods and rulings but share core beliefs. They help Muslims navigate religious obligations while accommodating diverse cultural contexts, ensuring guidance remains rooted in Islamic principles while allowing flexibility within different communities.