Imams, Major Madhabs, Basic Principles (usool) and Followers

🕌 A. AQEEDAH (Islamic Creed Schools)

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1️⃣ Athari (Salafi) Aqeedah

🛡️ Founder:

• The Athari creed is rooted in the teachings of the Salaf al-Salih (righteous predecessors) and was formulated systematically by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 241H).

• Later strengthened by Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728H).

📜 Principles:

✅ Literal Interpretation of Quran & Sunnah – No metaphorical reinterpretation of Allah’s attributes.
✅ Belief in Allah’s Names & Attributes (Asma wa Sifat) as stated in the texts. (Affirmation of Allah’s Attributes, without Ta’teel – Denial, Tashbeeh – Likeness, Tamtheel – Resemblance, Takyeef – Asking ‘How)
✅ Rejection of Kalam (Theological Speculation).
✅ Faith (Iman) includes actions, beliefs, and statements.
✅ Tawheed categorized into Uluhiyyah, Rububiyyah, and Asma wa Sifat.

👤 10 Major Followers of Athari Creed:

1. Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728H)

2. Ibn Qayyim (d. 751H)

3. Al-Dhahabi (d. 748H)

4. Ibn Kathir (d. 774H)

5. Ibn Rajab (d. 795H)

6. Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab (d. 1206H)

7. Ibn Baz (d. 1999 CE)

8. Ibn Uthaymeen (d. 2001 CE)

9. Saleh al-Fawzan (Contemporary)

📌 Major Sub-Sects:

• Traditional Athari (Imam Ahmad's early students)

• Salafi movement (modern application of Athari)

⚠️ Deviations in Later Eras:

• Some extreme factions reject all forms of "ta’wil" (interpretation) even when necessary.

• Takfir (excommunication) by certain groups claiming Salafi identity.

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2️⃣ Ash‘ari Aqeedah

🛡️ Founder:

• Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ash‘ari (d. 324H) refined Sunni creed using limited rational theology.

📜 Principles:

✅ Belief in Allah’s Names & Attributes with Ta’wil (figurative interpretation) when necessary.
✅ Iman (faith) is belief, but actions are not part of its definition.
✅ Rejects anthropomorphism (Tashbih).
✅ Qur’an is uncreated (unlike Mu‘tazilah).

👤 10 Major Followers of Ash‘ari Creed:

1. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (d. 852H)

2. Al-Suyuti (d. 911H)

3. Al-Ramli (d. 1004H)

4. Muhammad Zahid al-Kawthari (d. 1952 CE)

5. Al-Tahawi (d. 321H)

6. Al-Shahrastani (d. 548H)

7. Ibn Daqiq al-Eid (d. 702H)

8. Al-Sanusi (d. 895H)

9. Al-Maliki (d. 1181H)

10. Ibn Amir al-Hajj (d. 879H)

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3️⃣ Maturidi Aqeedah

🛡️ Founder:

• Imam Abu Mansur al-Maturidi (d. 333H), a student of the Hanafi tradition.

📜 Principles:

✅ Iman (faith) is firm belief; actions are not part of its definition.
✅ Man has free will but within Allah’s will (Kasb).
✅ Less reliance on Kalam than Ash‘aris.

👤 10 Major Followers of Maturidi Aqeedah:

1. Ibn Abidin (d. 1252H)

2. Abu ‘Ali al-Nasafi (d. 1142H)

3. Al-Samarqandi (d. 556H)

4. Ibn al-Humam (d. 861H)

5. ‘Ali al-Qari (d. 1014H)

6. Al-Saffarini (d. 1188H)

7. Al-Nasafi (d. 1187H)

8. Ibn Nujaim (d. 970H)

9. Al-Birgivi (d. 981H)

10. Al-Kashmiri (d. 1933H) 

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🕌 B. FIQH (Islamic Jurisprudence Schools)

This section provides a structured overview of the major Sunni Fiqh (jurisprudence) schools, their founders, principles, teachers, followers, major sub-sects, and deviations in later eras. I have ensured no overlapping of scholars between different Madhabs.

1️⃣ Hanafi Madhab

🛡️ Founder:

• Imam Abu Hanifa (d. 150H) in Kufa, Iraq.

📜 Principles (Usul al-Fiqh):

✅ Quran

✅ Sunnah
✅ Statements of Iraqi Sahabhas.
✅ Qiyas (Analogical reasoning).
✅ Iftiradh al Masai'l - "What if.."

✅ Istihsan (Jurist preference) to avoid hardship.(Imam Shafie rejected this totally)
✅ Al-Hiyal (Juridical Evasions) Removal of Difficulty

✅ Urf (Customary practice) if not against Shariah.

👤 Major Followers of Hanafi Madhab:

1. Ahmad ibn „Umar al Khassaf – 261H/874CE

2. Abu Ja‟far at-Tahawi – 321H/934CE

3. Abu Mansoor al Maturidi – 333H/946CE

4. Abul-Hassan al-Karkhi – 340H/953CE

5. The Hanafee Madhab spread in India, Pakistan, As-Sham, central Europe, and parts in Egypt and Afghanistan.

📌 Major Sub-Sects:

• Deobandi Hanafi

• Barelvi Hanafi

• Ottoman Hanafi

⚠️ Deviations in Later Eras:

• Excessive use of Istihsan (juristic preference) weakened strict adherence to Hadith.

• Taqleed (blind following) led to stagnation in some regions.

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2️⃣ Maliki Madhab

🛡️ Founder:

• Imam Malik ibn Anas (d. 179H) in Medina.

📜 Principles (Usul al-Fiqh):

✅ Quran

✅ Sunnah
✅ Ijma‘ of the Sahabah
✅ Amal Ahl al-Madina (Practice of the people of Medina).

✅ Qiyas (Analogical reasoning)
✅ Istislah(Public Welfare)

✅ Sadan lil Dhariah /blocking the means to evil

👤 Major Followers of Maliki Madhab:

1. Ibn Al-Majashoon 212 H/827 CE

2. Asad ibn al-Furat 213 H/828 CE

3. Yahya ibn Yahya al Laythi 234 H/849 CE

4. Sahnoon 240 H/855 CE

5. Maliki Madhab spread in North Africa and most of Africa, Europe

📌 Major Sub-Sects:

• West African Malikis

• Andalusian Malikis

⚠️ Deviations in Later Eras:

• Reliance on local customs (Urf) led to regional differences.

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3️⃣ Shafi‘i Madhab

🛡️ Founder:

• Imam Al-Shafi‘i (d. 204H) in Egypt.

📜 Principles (Usul al-Fiqh):

✅ Quran

✅ Sunnah
✅ Ijma‘ of the Sahabah
✅ Qiyas (Analogical reasoning).
👤 Major Followers of Shafi‘i Madhab:

1. Abu Yaqoob al Buwayti 231H/845CE

2. Isma‟il ibn Yahya al Muzani 264H/877CE

3. Imam Al-Nawawi (d. 676H)

4. Ar-Rabee‟ ibn Sulayman al-Muradi 270H/883CE

5. Abul-Hasan Al Ash‟ari 334H/947CE

6. Shafie Madhab spread in Syria, Yemen Yemenis took it to East and North Africa, Malaysia

📌 Major Sub-Sects:

• Yemeni Shafi‘is

• Indonesian Shafi‘is

⚠️ Deviations in Later Eras:

• Some excessive reliance on Qiyas in some rulings.

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4️⃣ Hanbali Madhab

🛡️ Founder:

• Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 241H).

📜 Principles (Usul al-Fiqh):

✅ Strict reliance

✅ Quran

✅ Sunnah
✅ Ijma‘ of the Sahabah - If differ follow the authentic one.

✅ Muttasil Hadeeth & Mursal Hadeeth - (Narrations from the first three generations of this ummah) precede over any other's opinions.
✅ Last resort only to Qiyas.
👤 Major Followers of Hanbali Madhab:

1. Salih ibn Imam Ahmad [266 H/879 CE]

2. Abdullah ibn Imam Ahmad [290 H/903 CE]

3. Umar ibn al-Husayn al Khiraqi [334 H/947 CE]

4. Imam Ibn Qudamah (d. 620H)

5. Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728H)

6. Ibn Qayyim (d. 751H)

7. Ibn Rajab (d. 795H)

8. Al-Dhahabi (d. 748H)

9. Al-Khallal (d. 311H)

10. Al-Saffarini (d. 1188H)

11. Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab (d. 1206H) and his offsprings.

12. Arabian Peninsula, AshSham, Palestine

📌 Major Sub-Sects & Deviations in the Hanbali Madhab

The Hanbali Madhab remained relatively conservative and adherent to its principles, but over time, different sub-sects and deviations emerged due to varying interpretations and external influences. Below are some of the major sub-sects and deviations that developed within Hanbali jurisprudence.

🕌 Major Sub-Sects within Hanbali Madhab

1️⃣ Traditional Hanbalis (Ahl al-Hadith Hanbalis)

• These scholars followed strict adherence to the Quran, Sunnah, and Hadith-based rulings without excessive reliance on analogical reasoning (Qiyas) or public interest (Maslahah).

• Key Scholars: Al-Khallal (d. 311H), Ibn Qudamah (d. 620H).

2️⃣ Sufi Hanbalis

• Some Hanbalis were influenced by Sufi spirituality, particularly in the later centuries.

• Unlike Ibn Taymiyyah’s approach, this group incorporated Tasawwuf (Islamic mysticism) into Hanbali teachings while maintaining the school’s legal framework.

• Key Scholars: Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (d. 795H), Al-Saffarini (d. 1188H).

3️⃣ Ibn Taymiyyah’s Reformist Hanbalis

• Influenced by Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728H) and Ibn al-Qayyim (d. 751H), this group focused on reviving Salafi principles and rejected speculative theology (Kalam).

• Emphasized Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (Oneness of Worship) and Hakimiyyah (Divine Sovereignty) against heretical innovations (Bid'ah).

• Key Scholars: Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Qayyim, Ibn Kathir (d. 774H)

• A reformist approach that arose in the 18th century through Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab (d. 1206H) in Najd, Arabia.

• Aimed at purifying Islam from Shirk (associating partners with Allah), Bid’ah (innovation), and excessive veneration of saints.

• Key Scholars: Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab, Ibn Baz (d. 1999), Scholars Association of Saudi Arabia.

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​​⚠️ Deviations in Salafiyyah in Later Eras.

1️⃣ Extreme Salafis (Takfiri/Jihadi Salafis)

🔺 Key Features:

• They believe in militant jihad against governments they consider "un-Islamic."

• They engage in Takfir (declaring Muslims as disbelievers) for rulers and even common people if they do not implement Shariah fully.

• They reject democracy, voting, and nationalism as forms of kufr (disbelief).

• They consider traditional scholars who oppose their ideology as “scholars of the rulers” (Ulama’ al-Sultan).

• They often take inspiration from Ibn Taymiyyah’s fatwas on jihad but apply them incorrectly to modern contexts.

🔺 Key Figures and Groups:

• Early Sayyid Qutb’s followers of Ikhwanul Muslimoon, Abu-Ala Moududi and Jamate-Islami

🔺 Criticism from Other Salafis:

• Mainstream Salafi scholars (e.g., Ibn Baz, Al-Albani, Ibn Uthaymeen, Al-Fawzan) reject their violent and extreme Takfiri ideology.

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2️⃣ Relaxed Salafis (Ikhwani Salafis / Reformist Salafis)

🟢 Key Features:

• They mix Salafi Aqeedah with political activism and social reform.

• They support political participation, democracy, and Islamic activism (Dawah and charity work).

• They are against extreme Takfir but believe that Muslim rulers should implement more Islamic governance.

• They are open to cooperation with non-Salafi Islamic movements like Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan).

• They still emphasize Hadith-based Fiqh but allow flexibility in contemporary issues.

🟢 Key Figures:

• Sheikh Salman al-Ouda (Saudi Arabia, imprisoned by KSA government)

• Sheikh Safar al-Hawali (Former Saudi Salafi activist, imprisoned)

• Sheikh Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi (Influenced by Jihadism but not Takfiri extremist)

• Yasir Qadhi (Originally a Madkhali Salafi, later became reformist Salafi)

🟢 Major Groups:

• Salafis influenced by Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan al-Muslimeen)

• Salafi political movements in Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and Tunisia

• Some Yemeni and North African Salafis (who engage in social activism)

🟢 Criticism from Other Salafis:

• Traditional Salafis (Saudi scholars) say they have Ikhwani (Brotherhood) influences and are too political.

• Jihadi Salafis criticize them for not engaging in jihad.

• Some accuse them of abandoning "pure Salafiyyah" by mixing with democratic politics.

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3️⃣ Middle Salafis (Traditional Salafis / Saudi-based Salafis)

🔹 Key Features:

• They adhere to pure Athari (Hanbali-based) Aqeedah and oppose Ash'ari, Maturidi, and Sufi beliefs.

• They are anti-Takfir but also oppose Islamist movements like Ikhwan al-Muslimeen (Muslim Brotherhood).

• They believe in obeying Muslim rulers unless they command open kufr (disbelief).

• They reject rebellion and street protests, considering them un-Islamic.

• They focus on Hadith-based Fiqh but still respect classical Hanbali methodology.

🔹 Key Figures:

• Sheikh Ibn Baz (Saudi Grand Mufti, d. 1999)

• Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen (d. 2001)

• Sheikh Salih Al-Fawzan

• Sheikh Abdul-Muhsin Al-Abbad

• 🔹 Major Groups:

• Saudi Arabia’s Official Salafi Scholars  / Lajnah (Under Saudi government)

• Salafi institutions in the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan

🔹 Criticism from Other Salafis:

• Jihadi Salafis call them "scholars of the rulers."

• Ikhwani Salafis say they are too passive and do not challenge injustice.