The Life of Imam Malik ibn Anas
• • Imam Malik (711–795 CE) was a
**renowned Islamic scholar and jurist**
• • Founder of the **Maliki school of
thought**, one of the four major Sunni
madhabs
• • Lived and taught in **Medina**, preserving
Hadith and Islamic law
Lineage of Imam Malik
• • Full name: **Malik ibn Anas ibn Malik ibn
Abi ‘Amir al-Asbahi**
• • He came from the noble **Asbahi tribe** of
Yemen
• • His great-grandfather **Abu ‘Amir** was
among the **early supporters of Islam**
• • His grandfather **Malik ibn Abi ‘Amir** was
a **Companion of the Prophet **ﷺand a
scholar
• • His father **Anas ibn Malik** (not the
Early Life and Education
• • Born in **93 AH (711 CE) in Medina**, the
city of the Prophet ﷺ
• • Grew up in a scholarly family, dedicated to
Islamic knowledge
• • Studied Hadith and Fiqh under the leading
scholars of Medina
• • Memorized the **Quran and thousands of
Hadith** at a young age
Teachers and Scholarly Lineage
• • Studied under **more than 900 scholars**,
particularly in Medina
• • Notable teachers included:
• - **Nafi’**, the student of Ibn Umar (RA),
ensuring strong Hadith transmission
• - **Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri**, a pioneering
Hadith scholar
• - **Rabi’ah ibn Abi Abd al-Rahman**, who
influenced his Fiqh methodology
• • His knowledge was directly linked to the
The Compilation of Al-Muwatta
• • Imam Malik’s most famous work is **Al-
Muwatta (The Approved Path)**
• • A Hadith and Fiqh compilation containing:
• - **Over 1,720 Hadith**
• - **Legal rulings and traditions from
Medina**
• • Compiled over **40 years**, ensuring
accuracy and acceptance
• • Praised by **Imam Shafi’i**, who said:
'**There is no book on earth more authentic
The Maliki School of Thought
• • Imam Malik founded the **Maliki
madhab**, one of the four Sunni legal schools
• • His methodology emphasized:
• - **The actions of the people of Medina** as
a proof of law
• - **Hadith and consensus of scholars**
• - **Istihsan (juridical preference) and
maslahah (public interest)**
• • The Maliki school spread widely in **North
Africa, Andalusia (Spain), and West Africa**
Imam Malik’s Respect for Hadith
• • Would never **teach Hadith while
standing**, out of respect for the words of the
Prophet ﷺ
• • Dressed in **his best clothes and used
perfume** before teaching Hadith
• • Ensured that **only reliable narrators were
accepted**, strengthening Hadith
authentication
Persecution and Trials
• • Imam Malik was known for his **courage in
upholding justice**
• • He **opposed forced allegiance** to the
Abbasid rulers, refusing to issue fatwas
supporting oppression
• • Due to his stance, he was **publicly beaten
and imprisoned** by the governor of Medina
• • Despite this, he continued teaching and was
later honored by Caliph Harun al-Rashid
Relationship with Other Imams
• • **Imam Abu Hanifa** respected Imam
Malik and sent his students to learn from him
• • **Imam Shafi’i** was one of Imam Malik’s
greatest students, later forming his own
school
• • **Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal** admired his
methodology and rulings
His Character and Lifestyle
• • Known for his **humility, patience, and
devotion to worship**
• • Never issued **fatwas (Islamic rulings)
lightly**, always researching before answering
• • Lived a **simple life**, despite being
offered wealth and status
• • Would weep when narrating Hadith, fearing
he might misrepresent the Prophet ﷺ
His Death and Legacy
• • Passed away in **179 AH (795 CE) in
Medina**, buried in **Jannat al-Baqi**
• • His legacy continues through:
• - **Al-Muwatta**, still studied worldwide
• - **The Maliki school of thought**, practiced
by millions
• - **His teachings on Hadith and Fiqh**,
preserved by his students
Conclusion: Imam Malik’s Lasting
Influence
• • His dedication to **Hadith, Islamic law, and
justice** shaped Islamic scholarship
• • His school of thought remains **one of the
most widely followed** in the Muslim world
• • His methodology of **upholding the Sunnah
and community practices** continues to
inspire scholars today
