WHAT IS MADH'HAB?

No Schools of Thought ever existed in Islam at the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Neither his exemplary practices nor his Hadith (the Sunnah) were put in writing during his lifetime. After the death of the Prophet (pbuh) many of the prominent Sahaaba (Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) adhered to Imam Ali's explanation of the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). The number of such luminous personalities increased gradually, and came to be known as the Devotees of the teachings of the Prophet (pbuh) as

The number of such luminous personalities increased gradually, and came to be known as the Devotees of the teachings of the Prophet (pbuh) as passed down by Ali. They were named AlKhaassah, meaning the elite, the distinctive, or the special. In Arabic they were referred to as AlShi'a. The rest of the Muslims were referred to as AlAammah, meaning the general public or the common man.

When Mu'awiya became the Khalifa (ruler), he promoted the term AlJama'ah (the throng of the society) to gain support for himself among the people. About 150 years later, the term Jama'ah was modified (by people conforming to Abbasi government policy) in an attempt to fight off Ahlul Bayt's enormous influence in the society. Later the term Jama'ah was modified to AlSunnah wal Jama'ah .

The term of Sunnah wal Jama'ah was prevalent during the 3rd century H. when the Schools of Thought in Islam were in a flux but were more or less consolidating. Later in the 3rd century H. the term was modified again, and rather than calling it AlSunnah wal Jama'ah, it was abbreviated to Ahlul Sunnah . This became a general term for the four Sunni Schools of Thought.

By the year 250H the four Sunni Schools of Thought were popularized and patronized by the Abbasi government, as well as by their own enthusiasts, thus spreading in various areas of the Islamic Ummah at variable speed. The existing Schools of Thought by this stretch of time were: Ja'fari, as headed by Imam AlSaadiq. Hanafi, as headed by Abu Hanifa, AlNa'maan. Maaliki, as headed by Malik Ibn Anas. Shafi'i, as headed by Ibn Idrees AlShafi'i. Hanbali, as headed by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal.

Outstanding among the vanished Schools of Thought were: Madh'hab of AlThawri renowned for 2 centuries and could trace its pathway to Imam AlSaadiq's Institute. Madh'hab of Ibn U'yainah, renowned for 3 centuries, and could trace its pathway to Imam AlSaadiq's Institute. Madh'hab of Aw'zaa'i, followed for more than one century. Madh'hab of Dawood Ibn Ali AlDhaahiri, followed for several centuries.

WHAT IS SHI'I AND WHAT IS SUNNI?

A SHI'I: is a person who is a devotee of only the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as passed down by Ahlul Bayt. Ahlul Bayt are the direct family of Muhammad (pbuh), and a Shi'i regards their teaching of the Prophet's Sunnah as the most authentic and accurate. In brief a Shi'i sees himself as the Devotee of Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and nothing else and the Fiqh laid down by Ahlul Bayt. A Shi'i believes in Imamah, that the 12 Imams were Divinely Commissioned, and they were

A Shi'i believes in Imamah, that the 12 Imams were Divinely Commissioned, and they were specified by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He also believes in Ismah (that the Prophets and the Designated Imams are shielded by Allah from: a) Sin, b) Religious Error, and c) Forgetfulness).