The Four Imams

The Four Imams tells the life stories of the four scholars whose legal reasoning founded the major Sunni schools of jurisprudence: Abu Hanifa, Malik ibn Anas, al-Shafi'i, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Adapted by Zimarina Sarwar from material by Ali Hammuda, the book uses a story-telling style to cover each Imam's upbringing, scholarly training, character, and the historical circumstances that shaped his approach to jurisprudence, closing sections with lessons drawn for the contemporary reader. It is written in an age-appropriate register suited to young adult and family readers being introduced to the four madhhabs and their founders for the first time, rather than for specialist students of fiqh. Illustrations by Martha Antonelli accompany the text throughout.