Madhhab

Method

Relies on the Qur'an, Sunnah, consensus (ijmā‘), analogy (qiyās), juristic preference (istiḥsān) and local custom (‘urf). Known for careful legal reasoning and flexibility in matters of transactions.

Where it's followed

Turkey, Balkans, Central Asia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan

The largest of the four schools by number of followers today.

Distinctive practices in prayer

• Hands are folded below the navel
• ‘Āmīn' after al-Fātiḥah is said silently
• Raising the hands (raf‘ al-yadayn) only at the opening takbīr
• Witr is three connected rakʿah with a specific du‘ā' (Qunūt) before rukū‘
• Fajr time ends slightly before actual sunrise (a wider window)

Method

Gives particular weight to the practice of the people of Madinah (‘amal ahl al-Madīnah) as a living transmission of the Sunnah, alongside Qur'an, Ḥadīth, ijmā‘, qiyās and public interest (maṣlaḥah).

Where it's followed

North & West Africa, parts of the Gulf, Sudan, Mauritania

Dominant across the Maghreb and much of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Distinctive practices in prayer

• Hands are often left at the sides (sadl), or folded — both are reported
• ‘Āmīn' is said silently in loud prayers by the imam (opinions vary)
• The Basmalah is not recited aloud, and often not at all before al-Fātiḥah
• One prostration of forgetfulness (sujūd al-sahw) — often before salām
• Witr is prayed as 2 + 1 with a salām in between

Method

The first Imam to systematise the sources of Islamic law (uṣūl al-fiqh) in his work al-Risālah. Prioritises Qur'an, then authentic Ḥadīth, then ijmā‘, then qiyās — with tight rules of derivation.

Where it's followed

Egypt, Yemen, East Africa, Kurdistan, Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia)

Widely followed across coastal Muslim lands and Southeast Asia.

Distinctive practices in prayer

• Hands are folded on the chest, below the collarbone
• ‘Āmīn' after al-Fātiḥah is said aloud in loud prayers
• The Basmalah is recited aloud as part of al-Fātiḥah
• Raising the hands at four points: opening takbīr, before and after rukū‘
• Qunūt is recited in every Fajr prayer, after rukū‘

Method

Strongly Ḥadīth-based. Prefers even weak authentic reports over pure analogy where possible, and gives space to the fatāwā of the Companions. Careful in matters of ‘aqīdah and worship.

Where it's followed

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, parts of the Gulf

The main school of the Arabian Peninsula.

Distinctive practices in prayer

• Hands are folded below the navel (like the Hanafis)
• The Basmalah is recited silently before al-Fātiḥah
• Raising the hands at three points — some also at rising from the second rakʿah
• Qunūt is only in the Witr prayer, not in Fajr
• Detailed rulings on wuḍū' (e.g. touching a woman does not break wuḍū')