Choosing Your Islamic School of Thought (Madhab)
Praise be to Allah عزّ وجلّ, peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammed صلَّى الله عليه وسل
Understanding Madhabs: The Four Schools of Sunni Law |
The four schools of Sunni law are all valid from an Islamic perspective.
Muslims must not show intolerance toward other rites or doctrines or look down on them.
Every Muslim is considered to belong to a legal school, most often the faith of their country or place of birth or that of their ancestors.
Considering a Change? Reasons to Switch Madhabs |
- Muslims who live in another Muslim country that is not their place of birth and that has a different doctrinal tradition are advised to follow the dominant school of that country.
- Muslims who do not live in a Muslim country, or who simply wish to choose the legal school they want to follow for specific reasons, may switch.
The choice is a matter not only of a well-reasoned personal preference but also of circumstances.
Learn more about Islamic Marriage Contract Differences: Comparing Sunni Madhhabs (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanbali)
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Madhab (Questions To Ask) |
Accessibility of Resources and Guidance
1 – Which school (madhab) can you learn and follow the most easily given your life situation?
(Depending on the country in which you live, the language you speak, your schedule, etc.)
2 – Which school can most easily give you the answers you need when you have questions? Are there imams, libraries, islamic centers or islamic schools of the chosen school (madhab) in the country in which you live?.
Personal Preferences and Scholarly Opinions
3 – What are your preferences for a legal school according to your own personal criteria?
And Allah عزّ وجلّ knows best
