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Famous
Personalities of the Global Islamic Movement Throughout History
Malik Ibn Anas ibn
Malik ibn 'Amr al-Asbahi (c. 715 - 796) (93 AH - 179
AH ), born in Medina, 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."
The Maliki Maddhab is one of the four schools of
jurisprudence that remains popular among Muslims to this
day.
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.
The Al-Muwatta (الموطأ) is an early collection of hadith
of Muhammad (saws) that form the basis for the
jurisprudence of Islam. It was compiled and edited by
Imam Malik. The book covers rituals, rites, customs,
traditions, norms and laws of the time of Muhammad
(saws). The bulk of the book pertains to non-legal areas
like Hajj, sacrifice, intercourse etc. This makes it
valuable beyond law, for studying historical sociology
of Arabs, for example.
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
narrated from Muhammad.
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. |
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