The real name of Imam Malik (RA), the second of the four great imams, was Abu Abdullah Malik ibn Anas ibn Malik ibn Abi-Amir al-Asbahi. His lineage traces back to Yemen, although his great-grandfather emigrated to Medina after returning to Islam.
Imam Malik (RA) was born in the city of knowledge, Medina, in the year 93 AH (711 CE).
At the time, Medina offered great opportunities to seekers of knowledge. Imam Malik (RA) took advantage of this and learned a great deal from the enormous sources of wisdom that surrounded him; this is reflected in his personality, his manners and especially in the monumental book he wrote: al-Muwatta (The Approved).
The life of Imam Malik (RA)
al-Muwatta (“The Approved One”)
This book, primarily a compilation of Hadith, is the magnum opus of Imam Malik (RA). Since the book’s main subject was Islamic law and jurisprudence, Imam Malik (RA) showed the manuscript to 70 jurists in Medina, and all of them approved it. Consequently, the book became known as « The Approved. »
al-Muwatta would eventually become the foundation for many other books on Ahadith, such as al-Tirmidhi, Muslim, and even al-Bukhari.
Love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
Imam Malik’s (RA) love, respect, and esteem for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were paramount. He used to say:
The sanctity of the Prophet in death is like his sanctity in life.
Because of his love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), Imam Malik (may God have mercy on him) took a firm stance regarding the narration of hadiths. Once, Caliph al-Mansur forbade scholars from narrating the hadith that stated, « The divorce of those forced into marriage is invalid. » But this did not deter Imam Malik (may God have mercy on him) from speaking the truth and narrating the correct hadith.
As a result, Imam Malik (RA) was severely punished and publicly humiliated. Yet he said:
He who knows me, knows me; he who does not know me, my name is Malik ibn Anas, and I say: The divorce of the coercive is null and void!
It was Jafar ibn Suleyman, then governor of Medina and cousin of the caliph, who finally freed Imam Malik (RA). Following this incident, the imam also pardoned the caliph.
A teacher and a mentor
Due to Imam Malik’s (RA) knowledge, scholarly abilities, and high intellect, many researchers and learners sought to become his students. His teaching method was unique—he disliked long lectures or sermons. Instead, he focused more on interactive classes; he even abandoned Sama (the practice of lectures by the teacher) and adopted Ard (the practice of students reading aloud in class).
Imam Malik (RA) stayed away from pointless discussions and the unnecessary glorification of people and their titles. He once reprimanded the caliph for speaking too loudly while a hadith was being narrated.
Legacy
Imam Malik (RA) was 85 years old when he died in 795 CE in Medina. He was buried in the al-Baqi cemetery.
Ismail ibn Abi Owais asked many people about the last words of Imam Malik (RA). He was told that the great Imam recited the Shahada and finally said:
Their affair is for Allah, before and after.
The ideology and fiqh of Imam Malik (RA) evolved into the Maliki Madhab, or school of thought. Today, the Maliki Madhab is very popular in North and West Africa.
Major Projects
al-Muwatta
al-Mudawwana al-Kubra