Malik ibn Anas
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| <region> scholar Medieval era |
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| Name: | Malik ibn Anas |
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| Influences: | Abu Suhail an-Nafi[citation needed] |
Malik ibn Anas ibn Malik ibn 'Amr al-Asbahi (Arabic مالك بن أنس) (c. 715 - 796) (93 AH - 179 AH ) was one of the most highly respected scholars of fiqh in Sunni Islam. Also known as "Imam Malik," "the Sheikh of Islam," "Proof of the Community," and "Imam of the Abode of Emigration." [1].
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[edit] Biography
The Maliki Maddhab is one of the four schools of jurisprudence that remains popular among Muslims to this day.
Imam Malik was born the son of Anas ibn Malik (not the Sahaba) and Atika bint Shurayk al-Azdiyya in Medina circa 715. His family was originally from the al-Asbahi tribe of Yemen, but his great grandfather Abu 'Amir relocated the family to Medina after converting to Islam in the second year after hijra (623). Living in Medina gave Malik access to some of the most learned minds of early Islam. He memorized the Quran in his youth, learning recitation from Imam Abu Suhail an-Nafi' ibn 'Abd ar-Rahman, from whom he also received his Sanad, or certification and permission to teach others. He studied under Imam Jafar al Sadiq.
He practiced extreme care in regard to narrating Hadith, saying, “I do not accept knowledge from four types of people: (1) a person known to be foolish, even though others may narrate from him, (2) a person involved in committing heresy and calling others towards the innovation, (3) a person who lies in regular conversation, even though I do not accuse him as liar in regards to Hadith, (4) and a person who is pious worshipper or scholar, but does not properly and correctly memorize what he narrates.” Imam Malik's chain of narrators was considered the most authentic and called Silsilat ul-Zhahab or “The Golden Chain of Narrators". The Golden Chain consists of Malik, who narrated from Nafi', who narrated from ibn Umar, who, of course, narrated from the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad.
Malik took advantage of the fact that he was contemporary to many of the Tabi‘in to formulate his famous school of thought which gave precedence to the acts of the people of Medina over the Hadith if they were in conflict. For example, although several hadithss indicate that prophet Muhammad used to pray with his hands folded across his chest, Malik argued that prophet Muhammad must have later changed this to pray with his hands released (pointing down) because that was how Medina's people were praying during Malik's days there.
Malik was also outspoken. He issued fatwas against being forced to pledge allegiance to the Caliph Al-Mansur, and was punished via flogging for his stance. Al-Mansur apologized to Malik, and offered him money and residence in Baghdad, but Malik refused to leave the city of Muhammad. Later, Harun al-Rashid asked Malik to visit him while Harun was performing the hajj. The Imam refused, and instead he invited the new caliph to his class.
Imam Malik died in Medina in 796 and is buried in the famous Jannat ul-Baqi cemetery across from the Masjid al Nabawi.
[edit] Works
Imam Malik wrote Al-Muwatta, "The Approved," which was said to have been regarded by Imam Shafi'i to be the soundest book on Earth after the Qur'an.
